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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


145 


I.I 


■28 

■  50     ""'^* 

us 


2.5 


IS 
Wuu 


22 

1^  IlilM 


1.8 


L25  111  U   IIIM 


PhotDgrapMc 

Sciences 
Corporation 


•''C^^^  ''^^^ 


13  WEST  MAIN  STREiT 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  371-4503 


■■airffMBBMlfcMitfciifa . 


7 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  MIcroreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductlons  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mdthode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquds  ci-dessous. 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  coulaur 

Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommagde 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur^e  et/ou  pelliculde 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


pn    Coloured  pages/ 


□    Coloured  maps/ 
Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 

□    Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


D 

D 


Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relid  avec  d'autres  documents 


D 
D 
D 
D 

n 

D 
D 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommag^es 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaur^es  et/ou  pelliculdes 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  ddcolordes,  tachetdes  ou  piqu^es 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ddtach^es 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Quality  indgale  de  ('impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 


D 


n 


Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
alon  ]  interior  margin/ 

Lareliure  serr^e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distorsion  le  long  de  la  marge  int^rieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  cartaines  pages  blanches  ajoutdes 
lors  dune  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t4  filmAes. 


D 
D 


Only  edition  available/ 
Seuie  ddition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure. 
etc.,  ont  ^Vb  filmdes  d  nouveau  de  facon  ^ 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


D 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppldmentaires: 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmd  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqui  ci-dQ^.;.ous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

„,L- 

12X 


16X 


aox 


28X 


32X 


3 

itails 
s  du 
lodifier 
r  une 
Image 


i 


)S 


Tha  copy  filmed  here  has  btsn  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Library  of  Congress 
Photoduplication  Service 

The  Images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  Impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  Illustrated  Impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ►  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  Included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


L'exemplaire  filmd  fut  reproduit  grdce  d  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

Library  of  Congress 
Photoduplication  Service 

Les  images  suivantes  ont  6td  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettetd  de  l'exemplaire  filmd,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprim6e  sont  filmds  en  commengant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  solt  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplalres 
originaux  sont  film6s  en  commenpant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaftra  sur  la 
dernldre  image  de  chaque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE".  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  fttre 
fllm6s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  II  «ot  tilm6  d  partir 
de  Tangle  supdrieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrnmmes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m  jthode. 


errata 
to 


!  pelure, 
3n  d 


32X 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

BTjRGOYNE 


A   POEM 


WKl'lTEN  FOR  THE 


Ce;ntennial  Celebration 


AT    aCHUYLRRVILLE, 


17th  of  October,  1877, 


BuRGOYNE's   Surrender 


AiSl^SD    B.    STREET. 


ALBANY: 

BED,   PARSONS   AND  COMPANY. 

1877. 


'C-vwi'       '  i['<^^' 


/ 


BUjJlGOYNE. 

A    POEM 


lis. 

)  'LI  i> 


WRITTEN  FOR  THE 


tENTENNIAL     CELEBRATION 

AT    8CHUYLEBVILLE, 


17tll  of  October,  1877, 


BuRGOYNE's   Surrender 


ALFRED  B.  STREET. 


ALBANY: 

WEED,   I'AUSONS   AND  COMPANY. 

1877. 


\ 


^Y7Z43 


/ 


Zer-^ 


\ 


•  „• 


m 


/ 


/ 


Mr.  Street  was  appointed  by  the  "  Saratoga  Monument 
Association "  the  Poet  of  the  late  Centennial  Celebration 
of  the  Sun-ender  of  Burgoyne.  The  Poem  grew  to  such 
length  that  a  portion  only  was  delivered  at  the  Celebra- 
tion.    The  whole  Poem  is  here  given. 


m 


'\ 


\ 


\ 


\ 


\ 


_L  , 


\ 


L- 


\ 


BURGOYNE. 


/ 

WHEN  fell  Eome's  fabric,  dire  the  ruin  wrought ; 
With  spectral  twilight  the  whole  earth  was  fraught ; 
A  few  stars  shone  that  twilight  to  illume 
W.here  Superstition  groped  in  Gothic  gloom. 
To  cloistral  walls  fled  Learning  in  affright, 
Missals  to  lilazon,  mystic  scrolls  indite. 
What  though  breathed  music  in  Provencal  bowers, 
And  Architecture  wreathed  its  fadeless  flowers  ; 
Built  the  dim  church,  with  painted  panes  aglow. 
And  arched  the  abbey  on  its  pillars  low  ; 
Though  Painting,  of  all  Nature's  hues  the  heir, 
Enameled  canvas  into  jewels  rai'e  ; 
The  loftiest  virtues  of  the  soul  lay  dead. 
Eight,   swordless,  crouched  to  Wrong's  crowned,  conquering 

tread. 
And  though  grand  Freedoni's  essence  never  dies. 
It  droopedj  despairing,  under  despot-skies. 
If  aught  it  asked,  Darius  like,  the  Throne, 
At  its  awed  look,  in  wrathful  lightnings  shone. 
Its  food  the  acorn  and  its  home  the  cell, 
Its  only  light  but  showed  its  manacle ; 
Until  its  eye,  at  throned  Oppression's  foot. 
Saw  slavery's  towering  tree,  its  heart  the  root, 
Cast  Upas  shadow  o'er  one  common  grave, 
With  naught  but  its  own  soul  its  life  to  save. 


BTJRGOYNE. 


And  then  it  rose  ;«p  with  one  bound  It  spnmg, 

Thunder  from  a  clear  sky,  its  war-ehouc  rung  , 

Out  Hashed  its  falchion  with  a  sunburst  wide 

And  wakened  thousands  sought  its  warrior  s.de. 

As  themi.t  streaming  irom  some  towering  crag, 

It  spread  the  blazon  of  its  glittenng  Hag; 

In  savage  gorges  which  the  vulture  swept, 

In  lonely  caverns  where  the  serpent  crept, 

Close  where  the  tumbling  torrent  hurled  its  spray, 

And  shadowy  cedars  twined  a  twilight  day, 

Clutching  its  swoivl  and  battling  on  its  knee 

Still  Freedom  fought;  and  though  the  swelling  sea 

Of  cruel  Wrong  yet  drove  it,  struggling,  higher. 

It  could  not  quench  its  pure,  celestial  tire  ; 

From  peak  to  peak  it  rose,  until  the  height 

Showed  it  but  heaven  wherein  to  take  its  H.ghr. 

Round  flew  its  glance,  it  saw  its  myriad  foes 

Following,  still  following,  rising  as  it  rose  •,^ 

Following,  still  following!  was  no  refuge  n.gh  ? 

Naught  on  the  earth,  and  only  in  the  sky  1 

Round  flew  its  glance,  it  pierced  beyond  the  wave! 

Ila  !  the  New  World  emerges !  -  shall  it  save  ? 

Hark,  a  wild  cry !  -  it  is  the  eagle's  scream  ! 

See,  a  broad  light,  the  far  league-conquering  stream 

Linking  all  climates,  where  it  reaching  flows, 

Its  head  the  snow-drift  and  its  foot  the  rose 

Mountains  rise  there  that  know  no  tread  ot  Kings; 

Blasts  that  waft  liberty  on  chainless  wings; 

Lakes  that  hold  skies,  the  swallow  tries  to  cross; 

Prairies,  earth-oceans;  woods,  a  whiriwlnd's  toss 

Would  seem  a  puny  streak ;  and  with  one  tongue 

All  thundered  "come!  »  the  welkin,  echoing,  nmg 

«  Come ! »  and  it  went ;  it  took  its  Mayflower  flight 

Fierce  raged  the  blast,  cold  billows  huried  their  might. 


\ 


A  rOEM. 

Winter  frowned  stern,  ho  pierced  to  Freedom's  heart ; 
White  spread  the  strand,  and  Hunger  reared  lii.s  dart; 
The  tree-croucheck  panther  met,  by  day,  its  sight. 
The  wolfs  eyt/starred  the  window-pune  at  night ; 
Though  Wi/iter  entered  in  its  heart,  he  braced 
AVith  stre'iigth  its  frame ;  its  feet  the  forest  traced, 
Despisi'iig  hardship  ;  by  the  ton-ent  rocked 
Its  hyark  canoe ;  the  wild  tornado  shocked 
^sVay  through  the  prostrate  woods  and,  grazing,  sent 
No  dread,  as  by  its  roof  the  horror  went ; — 
From  choice  it  climbed  the  dizzy  cliff  to  glance 
Over  its  realm's  luagniticent  expanse. 


There  the  vast  forest  stood,  the  free,  tlio  green, 
The  wild,  a  tangled,  thronging,  vaultea  scene. 
In  mantling  emerald  stretched  its  wavy  floor 
Cai-pets  of  moss  and  vines  rich  spreading  o'er ; 
There,  the  white  cohosh,  furzy  simiac,  gems 
Of  the  wild  allspice,  grass  and  clover  stems, 
And  strawberry,  the  curious  Indian  pipe. 
The  creeping  pine  that  lays  its  fringy  stripe 
Beside  the  riitming  hemlock;  higher  stood 
Oak,  beech  and  maple  sprouts,  a  brotherhood 
Twin-leaved ;  the  brancliy  fern  and  feathery  brake ; 
Still  higher,  the  dense  bushes  \n  reathed,  that  make 
A  sea  waist-deep  ;  the  saplings  higher  still ; 
Then  loftier  leaves  that,  one  twined  ceiling,  fill 
The  eye  ;  and  towering  over  all,  the  pine 
And  hemlock,  whose  green  crowns  forever  shine 
In  light,  or  frown  in  gloom,  and  feel  the  breath 
Of  every  wind ;  while,  motionless  as  death. 
The  depths  below  ;  through  this  cleft  roofing,  pries 
The  sunshine  ;  vistas  open  where  the  skies 
Admit  the  grass  to  grow  and  bird  to  build, 


BURGOY-^E. 

The  flowers  to  ttoimsh  and  the  sunli^^it  gUd. 

Through  ambush  green  the  little  unAH^  t^-  « 

Its  burrowing  by  its  purl  along  the  dclls^.^ 

Mounds  in  the  soft,  black  mould  proclaim  i^h,  Uen. 

Of  woodchuck,  fox  and  rabbit;  ready  fens    N^ 

Bristle ;  vast  swamps  of  laurel  spread  around      ., 

In  pools  where  trees  dead,  spectral,  stand ;  the  grc*" 

Sodden  with  wet,  yields  rank,  green  slin>e  and  nu..s 

To  old,  black  logs  and  branches  fallen  across; 

In  hideous  contrast  to  the  lovely  green 

And  living  things  of  the  surrounding  scene. 

Here  glance  the  graceful  deer ;  the  panther  prowls : 

The  big,  black  bear  jolts  round ;  the  gaunt  wolf  howls ; 

The  small,  red  tribesmen  of  the  woodland  swarm, 

Live  their  glad  summer  lives,  and  nestle  warm 

In  their  close  winter  haunts ;  the  eagle  claps 

His  pinion  here;  the  famished  vulture  flaps 

In  searching  flight;  the  pigeon  of  the  wood 

Colore  the  gi-een  with  blue  ;  her  downy  brood 

The  partridge  hides  at  danger's  sign  ;  the  quail 

Chequers  the  vista's  gold ;  its  nightly  wail 

The  whippoorwill  repeats ;  till  Autumn's  sad 

Katydid  dirge  proclaims  that  all  things  glad 

Are  lea-ing;  then  October's  sunset  glows 

And  Wintei^B  twilight  brings  the  choking  snows. 

Broadening  the  picture,  here,  grand  rivers  rnlled 
Grand  mountains  rose;  and  in  their  numbers  bold. 
Wild  foemen  thronged  with  tomahawk  and  kmto 
Ready  to  whelm  in  most  unequal  strife, 
But  what  of  these!  a  stalwart  heart  and  ann 
Freedom  upbore,  the  danger  owned  a  charm, 
And  in  the  forest  with  bold  tread  it  trod 
Waging  the  contest  for  itself  and  God. 


\ 


\  1 


A  POEM. 


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And  soon  blithe  harvests  waved  where  forests  frowned ; 

Roofs  studded  rivers ;  and  in  gladdening  sound 

The  song  of  Peace  and  Industry  arose, 

Where  burst  the  war-whoops  of  unsparing  foes ; 

And  church-spires  pointed  where  up  towered  the  pine ; 

And  Freedom  planted  sure  its  ever-living  shrine. 

Oh !  glorious  Freedom !  grandest,  brightest  gift 
Kind  heaven  has  given  our  souls  to  heavenward  lift ! 
Oh !  glorious  Freedom  I  are  there  hearts  so  low 
That  its  live  flame  finds  there  no  answering  glow  ? 
It  BOfva  sublime  beyond  the  patriot's  love, 
Sta,,  .38t  that  sways,  save  thought  that  dwells  above ! 
Slaves  love  their  homes ;  a  patriot  glad  will  die 
For  native  land,  though  she  in  chains  may  lie  ; 
Noblest  by  far,  the  soul  that  loves  to  fall 
In  the  red  front  at  Freedom's  sacred  call ; 
His  heart  right's  shield,  he  braves  the  Despot's  ban 
Not  for  himself  to  perish,  but  for  man. 

So  when  crowned  Wrong  made  here  his  first  advance, 
Flashed  from  our  fathers,  wrath's  immediate  glance  ; — 
Freedom  their  life,  the  sceptre  but  essayed 
Attempt,  to  send  their  swift  hand  to  their  blade. 
Their  serried  front  said  "  stay  I "  their  eyes  "  beware  1 
"  Rouse  not  the  still  prone  panther  from  his  lair  1 " 
But  vain  the  mandate,  vain  the  warning  spoke. 
The  King  strode  onward  and  the  land  awoke. 

Stately  the  sight,  Recording  History  shows 
When  the  red  walls  of  our  Republic  rose  ! 
Reared  in  deep  woods,  beneath  a  scarce-known  sky, 
In  puny  strifes  that  hardly  claimed  the  eye 


8 


BUKGOYNE. 


Of  lands  still  trembling  with  the  thundering  track 
Of  Saxe  arid  Marlborough  ;  where  startling,  back 
Russia's  black  Eagle  had  the  Crescent  hurled, 
Threatening  so  late  to  dominate  the  world. 

In  a  grand  age  our  Nation  opened  eye ! 

A  dazzling  sunshine  bathed  the  mental  sky  ; 

Voltaire  his  keen  bright  darts  of  wit  still  sent ; 

Rousseau  his  tender  moonlight  sentiment ; 

Napoleon's  star  was  rising  to  absorb 

All  space  in  grandeur  of  his  fierce,  wild  orb ; 

Painting  wore  garland  that  Sir  Joshua  wreathed ; 

Promethean  life  Canova's  marble  breathed ; 

Cowper  was  shedding  his  soft  gentle  strains 

Over  old  England's  rustic  fields  and  lanes  ; 

Bums,  lyric  lark !  whose  nest  was  by  the  plow, 

Foi-ming  his  song-pearls  for  his  Scotia's  brow ; 

At  Garrick's  art  the  Drama  laughed  and  grieved ; 

In  Dibdhi's  sailor-songs,  pleased  Ocean  heaved  ; 

Johnson  was  building  up  his  pomp  of  words ; 

White  hearkening  speech  from  animals  and  birds; 

Goldsmith  had  just,  by  death,  from  his  resort 

Been  freed,  his  picturesque,  cracked,  clothes-lined  court; 

Linnaeus  was  yielding  language  mute  to  flowere ; 

Gibbon  re-rearing  Rome's  majestic  towers ; 

Herschel,  with  daring  clutch,  was  makmg  prize 

Of  God's  grand  secrets  in  the  startled  skies  ; 

Burke  shedding  round  his  rich  auroral  gleams  ; 

Pitt  weaving  Britain  in  a  web  of  schemes  ; 

While  Cook,  his  far  away  sea-bird  wing  unfurled. 

Searching  Pacific's  dim,  mysterious  world 

Weltenng  round  isles  where  Fancy  reared  her  throne, 

In  scenes  to  Learning's  utmost  lore  unknown. 


A  POEM. 

Mid  all  this  affluence  of  deed  and  thought 
"With  which  this  age  of  majesty  was  fraught, 
Two  war-cries  rung  on  a  new  nation's  breath, 
This  from  the  warm  South,  "  Liberty  or  Death !  " 
This  from  the  cold  North,  both  stern  shouted  thence, 
"  Nothing  for  tribute,  millions  for  defense ! " 
Up  spi'ung  a  Land  with  weapon  bared  for  use, 
Like  Pallas  bounding  from  the  brow  of  Zeus. 

The  Revolution,  our  Heroic  Age ! 

Its  deeds,  its  times  should  every  heart  engage  1 

Not  in  the  mist  of  mythic  doubt  it  lies  ; 

Its  fingers  touch  us  and  it  fills  our  eyes. 

The  household  antlers  hold  the  musket  yet 

Which  rang  at  Concord ; — that  bent  bayonet 

Glittered  at  York  town  ;— yea,  but  few  years  back, 

The  grand-sire  lingered  who  had  seen  the  track 

Of  famed  Burgoyne  a  century  ago, 

Who  bowed  his  haughty  head  before  his  generous  foe. 

Yea,  a  Heroic  Age !  athwart  the  breast 

Of  many  a  battle-field,  its  seal  is  prest ; 

In  woods,  still  sighs  the  pine  for  many  a  lost ; 

Fields  in  thick  waves,  by  many  a  gi-ave  is  crost ; 

Many  the  deeds  that  dear  Tradition  keeps ; 

Many  the  heart  with  household  fame  that  leaps  ; 

The  dead  that  perished  !  many  and  many  a  shrine 
Is  strewed  around  where  tenderest  memories  twine  ; 
In  gloomy  gorges  where  the  eagle  wheels, 
Under  the  storm-cliff  where  the  thunder  peals, 
In  grassy  dingles  where  the  wild-bird  sings, 
By  the  bright  streamlet  where  the  cowslip  swings, 
In  rocky  glens  where  cascades  whiten  down, 
2 


9 


I_ 


10 


BURGOYNE. 


In  chasms  where  hemlocks  east  eternal  frown, 

In  woe  -.8  wliere  wail  the  winds  without  a  break, 

In  lonely  clearing  and  by  sail-white  lake, 

There  sleep  the  brave  ;  we  reap  the  seed  they  sowed  ! 

Cherish  their  memories  then,  while  memory  holds  abode. 

On  Concord  green,  the  rustic  king's  arm  woke ; 
And  Bunker  donned  his  battle  helm  of  smoke ; 
Clubbing  his  musket,  on  he  strode  to  where 
His  footstep  led  him  through  the  Lion's  lair ; 
The  Union  Flag,  with  crosses  of  St.  George 
And  Andrew,  and  the  stripes  in  Freedom's  forge 
"Wrought  like  hot  steel's  white-crimson  hues,  appeared 
At  Cambridge-camp,  by  Washington  up-reared  ; 
(The  crosses  sign  of  our  yet  loyalty ; 
The  stripes  significant  we  would  be  free)  ; 
The  foe  was  swept  from  Boston,  but  his  tread 
Was  o'er  the  Excelsior  City's  humbled  head; 
Washington,  printing  Jersey  with  his  blood,  • 

Fled  from  the  foe ;  then  o'er  the  icy  flood 
Of  Trenton  sent  the  King  his  Christmas-dole 
Launched  in  fierce  lightnings  from  his  wrathful  soul ;   . 
And  then  his  New- Year  greeting,  where  the  height 
Of  Prmceton  gleamed  in  victory's  gladdening  light. 

The  Crown  surveying  thus  the  varying  tide 
Of  conquest,  towering  in  its  haughty  pride, 
In  close  debate,  at  last  its  plan  evolved. 
And  on  one  final  crushing  blow  resolved. 

New  England,  east  of  the  Excelsior  State, 
In  its  stern  hills  and  rocky  vales,  the  great 
And  teeming  camp  for  freedom's  battles,  formed  ; 
West,  the  wild  lakes  with  savage  nations  swarmed, 


L_- 


A  POEM. 


11 


)wed ! 
ds  abode. 


That  struck  the  war-post  for  their  sire,  the  King ; 
Could  Britain's  arm,  in  one  grand  eifort,  swing 
A  blow  to  cleave  the  Excelsior  State  beneath ; 
New  England's  blade  were  powerless  in  its  sheath ; 
Their  portals  spread,  the  Great  Lakes  would  outpour 
Their  fierce  red  floods  to  whelm  the  region  o'er , 
The  struggling,  hopeless  South,  then,  part  by  part. 
Would  yield,  till  freedom  left  the  nation's  heart. 


e 
)eared 


Three  threatening  strands  were  woven  by  the  Crown ; 
One  stretching  up  Champlain  ;  one  reaching  down 
The  Mohawk  valley  whose  green  depths  retained 
Its  Tory  heart,  Fort  Stanwix  eearce  restrained ; 
And  one  up  Hudson's  flood ;  the  three  to  link 
Where  stood  Albania's  gables  by  its  brink. 


soul ; 
ight 
ight. 


led, 


Glance  at  the  picture —  ere  we  spread  our  wing  — 

Of  the  grand  battle  whose  famed  deeds  we  sing ! 

Here  spreads  Champlain  with  mountain  skirted  shore 

Caniadere  Guarentie,  open  door 

Of  the  fierce  Iroquois  to  seek  their  foes 

In  regions  stretching  from  Canadian  snows. 

West,  in  a  purple  dream  of  misty  crag, 

The  Adirondacks'  wavy  outlines  drag; 

East,  the  Green  Mountains,  home  of  meadowy  brooks, 

Of  cross  road  hamlets,  sylvan  school-house  nooks, 

Church-covered  hills  and  lion-heated  men 

Taught  by  the  torrent  tumbling  down  the  glen, 

By  the  grand  tempests  sweeping  around  the  clitf. 

By  the  wild  waters  tossing  by  their  skiff 

Freedom,  till  freedom  grew  their  very  life 

And  slavery  with  all  earthly  curses  rife. 

Next,  the  dark  Horican  that  mountain-vein. 

Bright  islet- spangled  tassel  to  Champlain ; 


12 


BURGOYNE. 


The  Highlands  souled  with  Washington  and  gi-and 
With  his  liigh  presence  watchirg  o'er  the  land : 
Thy  heights,  oh  Bemis  I  green  with  woods  yet  white 
With  flakes  of  tents,  zigzag  with  works  and  bright 
With  flags ;  while,  in  perspective,  we  discern 
Grouped  round  great  Washington,  with  features  stern 
In  patriot  care  and  doubt,  the  fonns  of  Wayne 
Putnam  and  Green  and  all  the  shadowy  train 
Of  Congress,  wrapt  spectators  from  afar, 
Of  where  fierce  Battle  drove  his  flashing,  thundering  car. 

As  when  some  dream  tumultuous  fills  the  night 

With  changeful  scenes,  and  plunges  past  the  sight 

In  hazy  shapes,  and  dark  looks,  till  at  last 

With  all  its  weird,  wild  phantasm,  it  is  past. 

So  the  broad  picture  as  it  melts  away. 

And  once  more  in  our  heart  peals  out  the  trumpet-lay. 

A. deep  stern  sound!  the  starting  signal-roar! 

And  up  Champlain  Bnrgoyne's  g.  eat  squadron  bore. 

In  front,  his  savage  ally's  bark  canoes 

Flashing  in  all  their  bravery  wild  of  hues ; 

Their  war-songs  sounding  and  their  paddles  timed  ; 

Next  the  batteaux,  their  rude,  square  shapes  sublimed 

With  pennon,  sword  and  bayonet,  casting  glow 

In  penciled  pictures  on  the  plain  below  : 

Last,  the  grand  ships,  by  queenly  Mary  led 

Where  shines  Burgoyne  in  pomp  of  gold  and  red  ; 

And  then  in  line,  St.  George,  Inflexible 

And  radeau  Thunderer,  dancing  on  the  swell 

The  glad  wind  made ;  how  stately  shone  the  scene ! 

June  in  the  forests  each  side  smiling  green  I 

The  graceful  chestnut's  dark  green  dome  was  fraught 

With  golden  tassels ;  ivory,  seeming  brought 


A  POEM. 


13 


and 


white 
gilt 


Ds  stem 


lering  car. 


ht 


)et-lay. 


bore. 


led ; 
blimed 


ed; 

ene! 
'anght 


From  winter  lingering  in  the  Indian  Pass, 

Mantled  tlie  locust ;  as  in  April  grass 

Rich  dandelions  burn,  the  basswood  showed 

Its  bells  of  yellow;  while  the  dogwood  glowed 

In  a  white  hehnet  thickly  plnnied  atop  ; 

Tiie  earlier  cherry  let  its  sweet  pearls  drop 

With  every  breeze  ;  ihe  hendock  snuled  with  edge 

Fringed  in  fresh  emerald  ;  even  the  sword-like  sedge, 

Sharp  nad  the  snowy  lily-goblets  set 

In  the  nooked  shallows  like  a  spangled  net, 

Was  jeweled  with  brown  bloom.     By  curving  point 

Where  glittering  ripples  umber  sands  anoint 

With  foamy  silver,  by  deep  crescent  bays 

Sleeping  beneath  their  veil  of  drowsy  haze, 

By  watery  coverts  shlnunerir.g  faint  in  film, 

Broad,  rounded  knolls  one  creamy,  rosy  realm 

Of  laurel  blossom  with  the  kalmia-urns 

Dotted  with  red,  the  fleet,  as  sentient,  turns 

The  winding  channel ;  in  tall  towei-s  of  white 

The  stately  ships  reflect  the  golden  light 

Dazzling  the  lake  ;  the  huge  batteaux  ply  deep 

Tlieir  laboring,  dashing  pathway  ;  fronting,  keep. 

With  measured  paddle-stabs,  the  light  canoes 

Their  gliding  coui-se ;  the  doe,  upstarting,  views 

And  hides  her  fawn ;  the  panther  marks  the  scene 

And  bears  her  cubs  within  the  thicket's  screen ; 

The  wolf  lifts  shaq^ened  ear  and  forward  foot; 

Waddles  the  bear  away  with  startled  hoot 

As  eome  sail  sends  a  sudden  flash  of  white 

In  the  cove's  greenery,  slow  essaying  flight 

The  loon  reai-s,  flapping,  its  checked,  grazing  wings, 

TiU  up  it  st'Uggling  flies  and  downward  flings 

Its  Indian  whoop  ;  the  bluebii-d's  sapphire  hue 

Kindles  the  shade ;  the  pigeon's  softer  blue 


r" 


14 


BURGOYNE. 


Breaks,  swanning,  out ;  the  robin's  warble  swells 

In  crump]}'  cadence  from  the  skirting  dells ; 

And  restless  rings  the  bobolink's  bubbly  note 

From  the  clear  bell  that  tinkles  in  his  throat. 

Thus  stately,  cheerily  moves  the  thronging  fleet ! 

On  the  lake's  steel  the  blazing  sunbeams  beat ; 

But  now  a  blast  comes  blustering  from  a  gorge  ; 

The  white  caps  dance ;  it  bends  the  tall  St.  George 

And  even  the  Thunderer  tosses ;  the  array 

Breaks  up  ;  canoe,  bateau,  grope  doubtful  way 

Through  tlie  dim  air;  in  spectral  white,  each  sail 

Glances  and  shivers  in  the  whistling  gale  ; 

All  the  green  paintings  of  point,  bank  and  tree 

Vanish  in  black  and  white,  and  all  but  see 

A  close  horizon  where  near  islands  lose 

Their  shapes,  and  distant  ranks  of  forest  fuse 

Into  a  mass ;  at  length  the  blast  flies  off 

Shallows  stop  rattling,  and  the  hollow  cough 

Of  surges  into  caves  makes  gradual  cease 

Till  on,  the  squadron  glides,  once  more  in  sunny  peace. 


So  in  some  blue-gold  day  white  clouds  up-float 

In  shining  throng,  and  next  are  dashed  remote 

By  a  fierce  wind,  then  join  in  peace  again 

And  smoothly  winnow  o'er  the  heavenly  plain ; 

Or  so  some  fleet  of  wild  fowl  on  the  lake, 

Dipping  and  preening,  quiet  journey  take, 

Till  the  sky  drops  an  eagle  circling  low 

For  the  straight  plunge  ;  wild  scattering  to  and  fro 

They  seek  the  shed  of  bank,  the  cave  of  plants, 

Tunnel  of  stream,  wherever  lurk  their  haunts. 

Until  the  bafilcd  eagle  seeks  again 

His  sky,  and  safety  holds,  once  more,  its  reign. 


A  POEM. 


15 


When  lay  Cliamplain  in  eve's  gold-plated  glass 
And  rich,  black  pictures  etched  the  glowing  grass, 
The  crews  debarked ;  their  camp-fires  round  would  rear 
And  hang  their  kettles  for  their  nightly  cheer; 
Then  rose  the  tents,  like  mushrooms,  to  the  moon  ; 
Swords  would  be  edged  and  muskets  polished  ;  soon 
Slumber  would  fan  its  wings,  and  in  the  bright 
Soft,  delicate  peace,  would  croon  the  Summer  Ts'ight. 

Then  the  gray  day-dawn  through  the  leaves  would  look ; 
Red  coats  would  gleam  in  every  emerald  nook 
And  weapons  glitter ;  as  the  mist  would  crawl 
From  the  smooth  lake  and  up  the  forest  wall, 
Sails  would  shine  out  and  blottings  of  canoe 
Blent  with  bateau  would  thicken  on  the  view .; 
Rings  of  dead  ashes,  prostrate  trees  half  burned, 
Trunks  into  black  Egyptian  marble  turned 
Where  curling  fires  had  scorched  the  streaky  moss, 
Roofs  of  dead  leaves  where  branches  stooped  across 
And  soil  burned  black  and  smoking  still,  would  show 
Where  through  the  night  had  shone  the  camp-fire  glow  ; 
Limbs  drooping  loose  and  logs  with  gaping  cuts 
Wliere  the  brigade  had  reared  their  bushy  huts ; 
A  deer's  head  on  a  stump,  a  bear-skin  cast 
Beneath,  where  late  the  redman  held  repast ; 
The  drum's  beat  then  would  sound,  and  shrilly  fife  ; 
Dingle  and  aisle  would  flash  with  martial  life ; 
Once  more  the  fleet  would  start,  and  up  its  way 
Take  as  the  whole  scene  brightened  into  day. 


On  Lady  Mary's  deck  Burgoyno  would  stand 
Drinking  the  sights  and  sounds  at  either  hand 
Replete  with  beauty  to  his  poet-heart ; 
Laughing  to  scorn  man's  paltry  works  of  Art. 


.^j«i&c  '.:.iii^ 


l|i..jL!iJiyjigt 


16 


BURGOYNE. 


The  grassy  vista  with  its  graziii,    loer ; 

The  lo!ie  loon  oaring  on  its  shy  i   reer ; 

Tlie  withered  pine-tree  with  its  liJi-hawk  nest ; 

The  eagle-oyrie  on  some  craggy  crest ; 

The  rich  white  lilies  that  wide  shallows  tuld  ; 

Their  yellow  sisters  with  their  globes  of  gold 

At  the  stream's  mouth  ;  the  ever  changeful  Lake  ; 

Here,  a  green  gleaming,  there,  a  shadowy  rake 

Of  scudding  air-breath  ;  here,  a  dazzling  Hash 

Searing  the  eyeball ;  there,  a  sudden  dash 

Of  i)urple  from  some  cloud  ;  a  sireak  of  white 

The  wake  of  some  scared  duck  avoiding  sight ; 

The  dogwood  plumed  with  many  a  pearly  gem, 

"Was  a  bright  (pieen  with  her  rich  diadem  ; 

An  oak  with  some  crooked  branch  up  pointing  grand, 

A  monarch  with  his  sceptre  in  his  hand  ; 

A  rounded  root  a  prostrate  pine-tree  rears 

A  slumbering  giant's  mighty  shield  appears ; 

A  long-drawn  streak  of  cloud  with  pendent  swell 

Of  hill,  a  beam  with  its  suspended  bell ; 

In  some  gray  ledge,  high  lifted  up,  he  sees 

An  ancient  castle  looking  from  its  trees ; 

Some  mountain's  rugged  outline  shows  the  trace 

Of  the  odd  profile  of  the  human  face ; 

A  slender  point  tipped  with  its  drinking  deer 

Seems  to  his  soldier  eye  a  prostrate  spear  ; 

In  the  near  partridge-pinion's  rolling  hum. 

He  hears,  with  smiles,  the  beating  of  the  drum  ; 

And  in  the, thresher's  tones  with  music  rife. 

The  stirring  flourish  of  the  whistling  fife ; 

And  thus  his  fancy  roams,  till  twilight  draws 

Around  the  fading  scene  its  silver  gauze. 

A  golden,  lazy  summer  afternoon ! 

The  air  is  fragrant  with  the  scents  of  Jrme 


\ 


A   POEM. 


17 


!8t; 

> 

M 

Liiku ; 
nke 

liito 
;ht; 

nrOlll, 

ting  grand, 


it  swell 


e  tmce 


eer 


Wintergrcen,  sassafras  and  jnniper, 
Rich  birch- breath,  pungent  mint  and  spicy  fir 
And  resinous  ceder  ;  on  Carillon's  walls 
T   '  sentry  paces  Avhon.  /;he  cool  ehadow  falls; 
I   A  comrad  sits,  his  musket  on  his  knoe, 
Watching  the  speckling  gnats  convulsively 
Sticliing  the  clear  dark  air  that  films  some  nook. 
He  hears  the  dashing  of  the  Horican  brook 
Loud  at  the  West  —  that  curved  and  slender  chain 
By  which  the  Tassel  hangs  upon  Champlain  — 
It  chimes  within  his  ear  like  silver  bells, 
And  the  sweet  jangling  only  quiet  tell ; 
In  front  he  sees  the  long  and  leafy  points 
Curving  the  waters  into  elbow-joints 
Of  Bays ;  a  crest  beyond  the  old  French  Lines, 
Domes  the  flat  woods ;  east,  opposite,  inclines 
Mount  Independence,  its  sloped  summit  crowned 
With  its  star-fort,  with  battery  brest-plate  bound, 
The  floating  bridge  between,  the  massive  boom 
And  chain  in  front,  and  in  the  rearward  room 
A  group  of  patriot  craft ;  and  sweeping  thence 
The  forest  landscape's  green  magnificence. 
Southward  the  Lake  a  narrowed  river  bends 
With  one  proud  summit  where  the  brook  suspends 
Horican's  tassel  to  King  Corker's  crown. 
Close  to  Carillon's  dark  embattled  frown. 


drum  ; 
fe, 

•aws 


le 


Sunset  its  arrows  through  the  fortress  shot ; 

In  velvet  softness  shone  the  warlike  spot; 

Gold  filled  embrasures,  walls  in  rich  array 

Stretched  betwixt  bastions  ;  shadows  crawled  away 

To  nooks  and  angles,  or  slept  cool  and  dark 

Within  the  ball-coned  corners ;  many  a  spark 

The  cannon  glanced,  their  grim  mouthes  bright  in  shoon. 

With  muskets  yoked  to  pyramids  between. 


18 


BURGOYNE. 


A  group  of  sokliere,  where  the  wall  looked  North, 

8Ui*jd  by  a  canuon  ;  one  was  etnjtching  forth 

A  deer-Bkiii  pouch  of  bullets ;  with  quick  snap 

One  tried  his  lock ;  a  third  was  in  his  cap 

Fastening  a  medal  stanipi-'d  in  brass ;  two  more 

W^ero  glancing  downward  on  the  curving  Hhore. 

A  coat  of  butternut  swathed  one,  patched,  worn, 

And  striped  with  bullet  pouch  and  powder  horn  ; 

A  white  slouched  hat  stooped  sidewise  on  his  head 

Plumed  with  a  sable  feather  tipped  in  red. 

The  next  a  coarse  gray  jacket  wore  with  black 

On  cuff  and  collar,  braided  breast  and  Lack 

In  sable  cord ;  with  cap  of  leathern  gloss 

A  brazen  plate  in  front,  which  in  a  cross 

A  sword  and  trumpet  showed,  a  swallow-tailed 

Artillery  coat  of  blue,  with  skirts  that  trailed 

Near  to  the  foot,  darned  neat,  and  newly  vamped, 

With  rows  of  big  brass  buttons  deeply  stamped 

With  the  spread  eagle,  front,  cuff,  coHar,  bright 

In  gold-laced  red,  a  black  chapeau  pinched  tight 

At  either  end,  a  fourth  displayed  ;  a  fringe' 

Green  hunting-shirt,  in  portions  frayed  and  tinged 

With  brown,  a  flapped,  red  hat  upon  his  brow 

Disclosed  a  fifth ;  as  he  had  left  the  plow. 

The  next  showed  coaree  white  sleeves,  and,  oddest  sight ! 

A  bear-skin  helmet  of  preposterous  height 

And  weight,  surmounting  brows  that  scarce  sixteen 

Fresh  siunmers  had  ;  'uocit-hed  over  with  their  sheen. 


All  weapons  wor   •         -.^^    .-m,  one,  oi  weight; 
A  rifle  one ;  a  sword,  that  seemed  in  date, 
A  century,  one ;  the  next,  a  bayonet  ground 
To  keenest  edge ;  a  sickle  which  had  found 
A  hickory  handle,  hold  the  fifth  ;  the  last 


A  POEM. 


19 


id  North, 
>rth 
:  suap 

more 

rtliore. 
1,  worn, 
er  horn ; 
I  his  h.    d 
.1. 

black 
;k 


tailed 
ailed 

'  vamped, 
amped 
bright 
jd  tight 
ige<' 

nd  tinged 
brow 

ad,  oddest  sight ! 

lit 

irce  sixteen 

their  sheen. 

weight ; 

;e, 

und 

md 

ist 


C)\med  the  fitrol-pointed  spear  beside  him  cist. 
Sudden  one  starts !    iround  the  northward  curve, 
TniTets  of  wiii'te,  in  stately  motion,  swervi 
With  blocks,  like  giant  beetles,  stretched  in  jauk, 
Canoes,  batt'aux  and  boats;  and  cither  bank 
In  gleam  and  flash  with  moving  spots  of  rod, 
Telling  the  comivig  focman's  landward  tread  ; 
While  hovering  in  the  front,  like  ducks,  in  nooks 
Of  the  bent  banks  and  coves  of  entering  brooks. 
In  the  wreathed  lilied  shallows,  mid  the  drift 
Of  brush-wood  bays,  white  rapids  shooting  swift. 
Or  threading  some  low  brink's  impending  arch. 
The  patriot  watch-boats  warn  the  approacliing  march  ; 
The  flashing  shores,  the  moving  flt  et  between. 
Making  a  picture  of  the  sunset  sccj  o. 

Through  roused  Carillon  quick  the  srory  flies  ; 

Guns  change  to  groups  and  loophole;  stare  with  eves. 

Up  glides  the  flag,  defiant  shouts  outl  eak ; 

Soon  would  Burgoyne  his  backward  pa  h way  take! 

Swift  will  Carillon's  thunder  hurl  his  dviom 

Even  ere  he  splintered  on  the  barrier-bcom ! 

Ah  false  belief !  ah  mocking  cheer  !  but    tay  ! 

Let  sad  experience  the  fell  truth  display 

Twilight  creeps  grayly  forth  ;  the  French  Lines  Crest 
And  Sugar  Loaf  in  dreamy  blue  are  drest  : 
Glimmers  the  Lake ;  the  sails,  in  dusky  w    ite. 
Seem  ghosts  half  merged  within  the  pallid    ight ; 
Peace  with  her  soft,  warm  stars,  breathes  o'   •,  till  soon 
Kosy  and  roundly  lifts  the  wliitening  moon. 

A  silver  painting  now  the  scene  displays ; 
The  forests  glitter  and  the  waters  blaze  ; 


i 


20 


BURGOYNE. 


Carillon's  black  ia  turned  to  tender  wliite 
Where  the  moon  enters  witli  transforming  light ; 
Bastions  are  sleeked,  grim  curtains  smoothed,  and  loops 
Dart  streaks  of  pearl  o'er  ball  and  musket-groups  ; 
The  hostile  sails  are  brightened  into  snow  ; 
The  woods  seem  slumbering  in  the  mantling  glow  ; 
The  French  Lines  summit  surges  on  the  8%  ; 
Peaceful  and  soft  and  quite  to  the  eye 
Looks  towering  Sugar  Loaf  !  could  Carillon's  sight 
Have  pierced  the  distance,  what  a  shuddering  fright 
Had  seized  his  heart !  there,  struggling  groups  of  men 
Clambered  rough  rocks  ;  the  torrent  of  the  glen 
Sprinkled  strained  ropes  that  lifted  cannon  up 
From  tree  to  tree  ;  the  hollow's  ferny  cup, 
The  cavern's  lichened  ledge,  the  panther's  lair, 
The  wolf's  close  haunt,  the  chamber  of  the  bear, 
Felt  trampling  throngs  all  fighting  toward  the  top; 
The  moonlight  mountain,  as  they  climbed,  let  drop 
Its  varied  sounds;  its  ear  had  never  before 
Hearkened  such  tumult ;  thus  the  night  hours  bore 
The  chequered  pictures  to  the  tints  that  make 
Day-break  cartoons  of  forest  and  of  lake. 

The  scene  now  glimmers  with  the  frescoes  drawn 
By  the  gray  pencil  of  the  rising  dawn  ; 
Then  the  white  pictures  painted  by  the  mist ; 
Then  the  east's  rim  by  living  radiance  kissed  ; 
Sugar  Loaf  glitters  in  the  crimson  hues ; 
Not  those  the  glances  that  the  moon  diffuse  ! 

Like  a  dense  curtain  up  the  mist  is  rolled  ; 

The  Lake  expands  in  point  and  headland  ;  bold 

The  woods  stand  forth,  the  vessels  whiten  out; 

And  a  fresh  summer  sunrise  smiles  about. 

Carillon  gazes ;  those  rich  tints  now  here 


\4Jai!JL'l'flUlXWI1^ii'i'V'ii'*''1'^''i1'''^i"'''" 


A  roEM. 


21 


light ; 

id,  and  loops 

groups ; 


low ; 


Now  there,  gleam  brokenly  and  disappear  ; 
Is  that  a  banner-flash  ?  that  brassy  glow 
Cast  by  a  cannon  ?  yes  I  it  is  the  foe  1 
Carillon  shudders ;  there  he  naked  stands 
His  vain-drawn  weapons  useless  in  his  hands  ; 
Certain  destruction  threatens  from  on  high ; 
Naught  can  avert,  like  lightning  from  the  sky. 


ii's  sight 
mg  fright 
3ups  of  men 
e  glen 
I  up 

lair, 
e  bear, 
I  the  to}) ; 
I,  let  drop 
e 

lours  bore 
lake 


}8  drawn 

list ; 
ssed; 

use! 

1; 

I ;  bold 
n  out ; 
t. 


On  the  warm  ledges  of  the  mountain's  crest 

Starred  with  blue  harebells  o'er  the  velvet  breast 

Of  fringy  moss,  the  red-coat  sentry  sees, 

As  sunset  glitters  through  the  goldened  trees, 

Carillon  quiet,  with  his  sullen  frown, 

Seeming  in  slumber ;  Night  with  pearly  crown 

Follows ;  what  glare  bursts  sudden  forth  I  the  sheen 

Startles  to  fierce,  wild,  crimson  life,  the  scene  ! 

It  shows  dark  masses  through  the  floating  bridge 

Streaming  where  Independence  rears  its  ridge, 

Streaming  from  bared  Carillon  ;  on  the  Lake 

A  fleet  of  patriot  boats  and  galleys  take 

Their  upward  path ;  Mount  Hope,  the  French  Lines  crest  ■ 

Named  by  the  foe  to  mark  the  joyous  zest 

Its  capture  gave  —  sends  Fraser,  battle-famed, 

In  quick  pursuit ;  while  Mount  Defiance  —  named 

From  Sugar  Loaf  to  show  his  scorn  —  yields  too 

Its  throngs  exultant,  eager  to  pursue. 

Within  the  eastward  woods  they  plunged,  in  rear 

Of  the  retreating  foe ;  by  moonlight  clear 

And  mottlidd  gloom,  the  rough  road  led  them  on  ;  — 

O'er  zigzag  rails  the  elder  blossoms  shone 

Like  silver  lanterns ;  on  the  banks,  in  spots 

The  foxfire  glared  ;  the  yager  over  knots 

Of  roots  groped  slow,  his  npatterdashes  soaked 

In  the  fern's  dew,  his  bayonet  frequent  yoked 


22 


BURGOYNE. 


With  branches ;  the  chasseur's  huge  hehnet  now 

Cleaved  the  low  leaves  like  some  aerial  plow, 

And  now  the  grenadier  of  Earner  crushed 

His  sharp  cap  on  some  ledge  as  by  he  brushed. 

Dawn  its  gray  glimmer  tlirough  the  gloom  distils; 

Then  morning  glitters  on  the  Pittsford  Hills. 

At  Ilubbardton  the  patriot  foe  makes  pause, 

And  Battle,  for  the  firec  his  falchion  draws. 

But  stay  not  Song  thy  fairy  sandal  here  1 

Thy  ly  1*6  is  unite  at  whistle  of  the  spear ! 

Let  hut  one  cadence,  brief  and  mournful,  tell 

IIow  Fraser  triumphed  and  how  Francis  foil. 

While  on,  St.  Clair  through  wilds,  torn,  Vlcding,  passed 

Until  Fort  Edward  refuge  gave  at  hist. 


Meanwhile,  Burgoyne  pursued  the  patriot  fleet 

Up  the  curved  naiTowing  Lake ;  the  glittering  sheet 

Showed  now  their  path,  and  now,  where  high  banks  woun<l, 

Hidden  the  way  ;  Morn  flings  her  jewels  round 

Where  the  lake's  head  sweeps,  cresceut-like,  about. 

And  Skenesboro'  stands  with  store-house  and  retloubt ; 

Moored,  there,  the  patriot-craft ;  but  soon  War  claiius 

His  horrid  spoil ;  the  spot  is  wrapt  in  flames 

Waked  by  the  patriots  and  Burgoyne;  at  nigiit 

Brave  Long,  with  his  Carillon  force  in  flight. 

Threads  a  blind  pathway  timnelled  through  the  trees 

To  where  Wood  Creek  Fort  Anna's  earth-rampart  sees. 


All  night,  a  stump  or  bush,  along  their  road, 
Ijike-  a  crouched  savage  lurking  for  them,  showed. 
Or  flashes  of  some  himter's  camp-fire  looked 
Like  red-coats ;  with  a  log,  beside  them  nooked. 
Seeming  a  cannon  to  dispute  their  way ; 
So  on  they  struggled  till  the  rich  moon's  ray 


I    Jlj: 


A  POEM. 


98 


iiet  now 

low, 

d 

nslicd. 

Ill  distils; 

[ills. 

use, 

W8. 


,  teU 

foil. 

\>lceding,  i)a88e<l 


>t  fleet 

;tering  sheet 

1  high  banks  wound, 

i  round 

ike,  about, 

I  and  redoubt ; 

m  War  elaiais 

inies 

it  night 

light, 

igh  the  trees 

th-rauii)art  sees. 

road, 

1,  showetl. 

oketl 

nooked, 

3  ray 


Shrank  in  the  rosy  brilliancy  of  day. 

Haste,  likewise,  from  this  spot,  oh  Song!  thy  lyre 

Too  frail  for  thunder-tones;  the  battle-lire 

Makes  its  gold  strhigs  too  hot  for  thy  soft  touch  ; 

In  the  bright  toear  thou  seest  the  wretched  crutch 

Of  the  maimed  soldier  ;  in  the  trmnpet's  twang 

Thou  hear'st  the  orphan's  cry ;  yet  if  the  clang 

Of  war  could  joy  thee,  well  thy  tones  could  ring 

Here,  where  the  Lion  felt  the  Eagle's  wing 

Cut  keen  and  deep  ;  but  as  thy  tones  expire, 

Haste !  scenes  more  grateful  claun  thy  jewelled  lyre. 

Face  to  the  foe  brave  Schuyler  down  retreats ; 
Fort  Edward's  ruined  bastions  now  he  greets ; 
His  thin  ranks  thinning  with  the  thickening  days 
Now  Saratoga  meets  his  longing  gaze. 
In  vain  !  no  refuge  !  on  !  till  Mohawk's  smile 
Welcomes  the  wanderer  to  her  safety-isle. 

Days  roll  along  ;  at  length  Burgoyne  begins 
His  downward  march,  but  progress  brief  he  wins. 
Schuyler,  with  prescient,  patient  toil,  had  wrought, 
Till  the  wide  pathway  of  the  foe  was  caught 
AVithin  a  web  of  levelled  woods,  of  streams 
Bridgeless,  paths  choked,  tangles  of  broken  beams, 
Smooth  avenues  beckoning  to  cpiick-sand  swamps. 
All  shackling  every  step  ;  war's  glittering  pomps 
Turned  to  a  huddling,  struggling,  writhing  mass 
Striving  with  wild,  convulsive  strength,  to  pass. 

Thus,  the  wroth  region  flings  itself  across 
The  invadei-'s  path  ;  the  pines  and  hemlocks  toss 
Their  mighty  arms,  ask  hoarse  through  windy  leaves 
"  "Why  comes  he  here !  "  the  towering  wnidfall  weaves 


.W        5^ 


24 


BURGOYNE. 


Its  torturing  net ;  the  bog  its  treacherous  length 
Chitching  the  footstep,  wearying  down  the  strength, 
Sjireacling  its  Indian  plumes  in  crimson  glow- 
As  if  to  warn  him  of  the  blood  to  flow ; 
The  streamlet,  hid  in  nooks  of  sunken  logs 
And  mai-shy  reeds,  the  ponderous  cannon  clogs ; 
Vainly  the  gallant  Jones  swift  plies  his  scourge, 
His  buried  battery-wheels  can  scarce  em<>rge  ; 
The  hoof  of  Eraser's  stout  grey  warhorso  sinks 
In  flowery  mire  ;  Riedesel's  sabre  clinks 
On  the  prone  trunk  his  barb  essays  to  scale  ; 
Low  boughs  the  flag,  wrapped  round  its  staft",  assail ; 
Order  was  lost ;  the  sword  of  the  chasseur 
Jostled  the  drum  ;  the  trail  the  moccasin  wore 
The  musket  widened  to  a  path  ;  o'er  hill 
Through  vale,  beside  the  little  lyric  rill. 
Over  ra\ines  by  prostrate  trees,  they  wend 
From  morn  till  evening's  blurring  shades  descend. 


Here,  zigzag  breast-works,  left  so  late,  the  print 

Of  leaving  feet  shows  fresh  ;  the  crushed  down  mint 

There,  telling  where  the  gun  was  hauled  away 

From  the  embrasure ;  pickets  in  array 

With  none  to  man  them ;  on,  thus,  on,  they  go, 

Weary  with  seeking  a  dissolving  foe. 

The  Kingsbury  marshes  shine  one  blushing  hue 

Of  rarely  absent  Indian  plumes  ;  in  blue 

Of  moose-heads,  glow  the  streams ;  warm  mullMjrry  tints 

Display  the  rushes  in  wet  nooks ;  a  chintz 

Of  lovely  tinges  in  the  glossy  browns 

Of  piny  knolls  their  own  line  neariy  drowns 

7n  flowery  dyes ;  and  in  green  dells  is  spilt 

A  mass  of  color  like  a  brindled  qnilt. 


A  POEM. 


25 


Qgth 

streugtli, 

w 


logs; 
irgc, 

a  • 

inks 


ff,  assail; 


ore 


Tlie  running-hemlock's  drops  of  ruddy  wax, 
The  hanging  honeysuckle's  streaky  sacks, 
The  yet  scarce  aster,  and  the  golden  rod 
Whose  curling  plume  begins  to  light  the  sod, 
Kindle  their  path  with  all  the  wealth  of  flowers 
That  Summer  sunmions  to  her  forest  bowei-s. 

At  night,  the  camp-fire's  mighty  eyeballs  glare 
In  flashing  rings;  the  trees  around  them  stare; 
The  grenadier's  red  coat  shines  one  fixed  blush ; 
The  Hessian's  crimson  cap  takes  livelier  flush ; 
Here,  gleams  a  buckle  ;  there,  a  feather-plate ; 
A  brazen  clasp  ;  in  all  his  painted  state 
"  The  Indian  stands  and  edges  by  the  glow 
Anew  his  hatchet  for  the  coming  foe. 


lescend. 

print 

iown  mint 
vay 

r  hue 

muUwrry  tints 


ns 
t 


As  on,  Burgoyne  —  Fear  flies  before,  around, 
With  ear  erect  to  catch  the  faintest  sound. 
And  eyes  wild  starting  every  sight  to  see ; 
Is  that  a  red-coat  glancing  from  a  tree  ? 
Or  sunset's  stiaggling  beam  ?  that  sound,  the  tramp 
Of,  the  approaching  foe  ?  the  hunter's  camp 
Cowers  lonely  in  the  woods ;  the  settler's  hut 
Has  lost  its  latch-string,  and  its  door  is  shut. 
The  ambushed  trap  lurks  baitless  by  the  creek  ; 
The  deer  treads  fearless  to  the  pearly  lick ; 
The  cattle-group  have  left  the  nibbing-tree, 
In  far  away  coverts  they  roam  wild  and  free ; 
The  ripened  rye  lies  matted  round  the  stumps ; 
Through  whitening  buckwheat  bold  the  rabbit  jumps. 
Among  the  graining  com  beneath  the  moon 
Nibbles,  unmarked,  the  seated,  shy  raccoon ; 
The  back-log  blackens  where  the  kettle  sung ; 
The  cat  stalks  ghostly  where  the  clock-tones  rung 
4 


26 


BUItGOYNE. 

To  merry  household  groups ;  and  dust  pearls  now 
The  fringed  asparagus,  whose  mounded  hough 
Filled  the  wide  hearth-stone  ;  in  the  yard,  the  axe 
Lies  in  the  chips  late  showering  from  its  hacks; 
And  the  dry  grindstone  hangs  its  wheel  of  gi'ay 
Stirless;  and  hut  half-pitched,  stands  hy  its  loft,  the  hay. 

War's  red  romance  now  claims  the  sorrowing  lyre  1 
Love's  victim  1  let  the  trumpet-tones  expire ! 
No  dulcet  strain  beneath  the  moonlight  sky  ; 
The  mournf  al  cadence  breathes  but  one  long  sigh. 
Ah,  hapless  maiden  1  al  .  poor  Jennie  McCrea  1 

The  Wyandotte  P  luhei  grasps  his  hapless  prey ! 

Ah,  savage  heart!  he  aims-she  falls !  the  sweep 

Of  glorious  tresses,  black  as  midnight,  heap 
.  The  wampum  belt  1  ah,  lovely,  lovely  head. 

By  the  unsparing  knife  so  foully  shred  1 

But  let  the  mmstrel  of  the  period  tcU 

How  that  dark  deed,  that  murder  baae,  befell. 

The  mill  his  muse,  its  great  throb  beat  the  strain 

Of  the  poetic  measure  in  his  brain ; 

Its  gliding  straps  the  lines  iu  smoothness  wrought ; 

Its  hoppers,  reservoirs  of  stirring  thought ; 

The  wheat  wo-^e  golden  pictures  as  it  poured ; 

The  tireless  mill  wheel  music  as  it  roared ; 

And  all  the  region  round,  with  blended  will, 

Hailed  as  the  mmstrel,  Robbie  of  the  Mill. 

This  ruthless  slaughter  clauned  his  tuneful  tongue. 

Though  shudderings  shook  his  soul,  and  thus  he  sung: 

List  all  you  good  people  my  sorrowful  lay, 

While  i  sing  the  sad  doom  of  poor  Jennie  McCrea. 


iiii 


m 


rls  now 

tlic  axe 

lacks ; 

f  gi-ay 

ts  loft,  the  hay. 

iiig  b'^e  1 
re! 

ang  sigh. 
Great 
88  prey  I 
le  sweep 
eap 
sad, 


befell. 
;lie  strain 

,8  wrought ; 
lit; 
our^ ; 

i; 

will, 
Vlill. 

jful  tongne, 
1  thus  he  sung: 

lay, 

onio  McCrea. 


A  POEM.  37 

She  waited  her  lover,  her  lover  to  join, 

As  near  came  the  forces  of  British  Burgoyne. 

He  came,  the  fierce  savage  preceding  his  path 

i^  the  cloud  with  the  lightning  red  launching  its  wrath. 

She  waited  her  lover,  instead  of  him  came 
The  Wyandotte  Panther  with  eyeballs  of  flame. 

He  seized  her,  and  bearing  her  up  on  his  way. 

From  her  steed  shot  the  maiden,  poor  Jennie  McCrea! 

Another  fierce  savage,  as  demon-like,  shred 
The  long  glossy-locks  from  her  beautiful  head. 

Weep,  souls  of  soft  pity !  weep  over  this  woe  1 

Swear,  hearts  of  stern  vengeance  1  to  strike  back  the  blow ! 

Let  us  peal  forth  the  shout,  as  we  rush  to  the  fray, 
The  loud,  wrathful  war-shout  of  "  Jennie  McCrea !  " 

For  as  sure  as  God  lives,  will  he  deeply  repay 
.  The  dark,  bloody  deed  of  poor  Jennie  McCrea. 

With  soldier  songs  down  treads  the  exultant  foe, 
Down,  with  the  region  showing  wild  its  woe. 
"Britons  letreat  not,"  boasts  Burgoyne;  and  down, 
Still  down,  his  buoyant  march.    Can  fortune  frown 
On  such  a  host,  rebellion  foul  to  crush 
With  courage  burning,  and  with  conquest  flush  1 
But,  while  he  boasts  thus,  bright  with  fortune's  sun, 
"  Never  despair,"  rings  out  from  Washington. 
In  his  wild  Highland  "  Clove  "  he  fixes  gaze 
With  dauntless  spirit,  and  the  scene  surveys. 


i 


26 


BUrtGOYNE. 


As  some  grand  eagle  poising  in  tlie  sky, 
Sees  the  wide  prospect  with  unwavering  eye  ; 
Clouds  roll  around  him,  veiling  all  the  light ; 
Yet  through  the  darkness,  penetrates  his  siglit 
To  where  the  sun  is  waiting  forth  to  spring. 
And  o'er  all  Nature  gleams  of  gladness  fling. 
So  he,  and  on  hie  heart,  amid  the  storm, 
He  upward  hore  the  Nation's  fainting  form. 

Turn  we  to  other  scenes !  In  beauty  bright 
The  Mohawk  Valley  claims  our  wandering  sight 
Veined  by  its  river ;  loveliest  landscapes  smiled 
On  every  side,  the  rural  and  the  wild. 
Here,  shone  the  field  in  billowy  gold,  and  there, 
The  shomless  forest  twined  its  leafy  lair. 
Here,  the  red  homestead  weltering  hi  its  wheat ; 
There,  the  rude  shanty  in  its  green  retreat ; 
Where  the  plow  paused,  the  trapper  hid  his  trap  ; 
The  kinebell  mingled  with  the  rifle's  clap ; 
The  league-long  sable-line  stretched  on,  where  ceased 
The  farm-lane  with  the  frequent  l)ay  cart  creased, 
The  jutting,  loop-holed  block-house  standing  guard 
O'er  the  rude  hamlet  by  its  pick'^ts  barred. 
Along  the  river,  poled  the  heaped  bateau  ; 
O'er  the  rough  roads  the  wagon  jolted  slow ; 
And  civilization  reared  her  school-house,  where 
The  skin-clad  hunter  lately  slew  the  bear. 

At  the  green  valley's  head  Fort  Stanwix  stood. 
Its  bastions,  half  restored,  ringed  close  with  wood. 
Smooth  meadows,  southward  to  the  Mohawk  led 
North,  De^)-wain-sta'8  mile-long  portage  spread 
To  wild  Wood  Creek  which  linked  beneath  its  screen 
With  Lake  Oneida's  rich  transparent  green. 


ft 


A  rOEM. 

Opening  that  region  wlierb  a  fringe  of  lakes 
Hangs  from  a  skirt  of  wililerness  that  makes 
A  sylvan  border  to  tlie  soutlxeru  flow 
Of  the  grand  inland  sea,  Ontario  ; 
Those  watery  pendants  not  disordered  flnng, 
Bnt  seeming  as  in  measured  spaces  hung 
To  ornament  Ontario's  emerald  dress 
Witli  tassels  of  pure,  diamond  loveliness. 

A  band  of  boats  spots  dark  Oswego's  breast ; 
St.  Lcger's  corps,  Fort  Stanwix  to  invest ; 
Where  foamed  the  Falls,  they  plunge  within  the  woods 
In  battle-order  ;  the  wild  solitudes 
Glitter  with  knife  and  musket ;  massive  boots 
Tear  through  the  thickets,  stumble  over  roots ; 
Here,  the  lithe  Indian's  light,  elastic  bound, 
There,  the  slow  yager's  tramp ;  the  Ranger  found 
H!3  old  hacks  on  the  trees  when  other  days 
Saw  him  a  trapper ;  and  the  sylvan  maze 
"Welcomed  the  Eoyal  Green  whose  erewhile  tread. 
Tracked,  as  the  hunter,  where  the  runway  led. 
Oneida  shines  between  the  stems ;  again 
They  launch  their  barks  upon  the  grass-hued  plain  ; 
They  fright  the  wild  duck  from  her  haunt,  they  rouse 
The  fish-hawk  from  her  pine-built  nest ;  they  mouse 
Around  some  lurking  bay ;  they  penetrate 
Tunnels  of  branches  where  the  shores  create 
Roofs  of  dim,  watery  caves ;  when  daylight  fades. 
The  Indians,  tramping  through  the  forest  shades. 
Kindle  their  camp-fires  like  great  panther-eyes. 
And  dance  their  dances ;  the  flotilla  plies 
Dabbling,  still  upward,  till  the  boats  they  beach 
At  the  Creek's  month,  and  soon  Fort  Stanwix  reat^h, 
Wliere  gallant  Gansevoort  and  brave  Willett  stand, 


30 


I 


30 


BURGOYNE. 


To  hurl  defiance  at  tlie  coming  band. 
Gansevoort,  the  young,  the  gallant,  with  a  soul 
That  only  knew  bold  duty  for  its  goal. 
What  though  the  walls  were  incomplete !  behind 
Uptowered  a  heart  no  abject  fear  could  bind  I 
To  the  foe"s  threat  his  fort-made  flag  he  reared, 
Sustained  by  patience,  and  by  courage  cheered ; 
When  came  .   ;mand  to  jield,  he  calm  replied 
With  lii-iu  reiusal,  and  the  worst  deiied. 

Down  the  green  valley  fly  the  tidings ;  swift 

The  Germans  spring;  the  living  torrents  drift 

To  the  Fort's  aid ;  by  day,  the  thronging  trees 

Are  freckled  with  quick  glints  ;  f>teel  glitterings  seize 

Upon  the  loaves  and  change  them  to  white  gems ; 

By  night  the  camp-fires  dance  along  the  stems, 

Turn  green  to  ruddy  gold,  and  black  to  red, 

Bnild  crimson  roofs  and  floors  of  carmine  spread. 

Bold  Herkimer  hi*?  left,  to  lead  the  band, 

His  hearth,  half  fortresR  and  half  liouse,  to  stand 

Defenseless  on  the  Mohawk  ;  many  a  roof 

A  rustic  manor-honse,  walls  bnllet  proof, 

Stately  in  terraces  and  shmbbery, 

Old  oaks,  green  walks  to  dingle,  statned  tree 

Eagle-shaped  thicket,  bushes  carved  to  deer 

And  wolf,  and  whose  huge  hearth  glared  red  with  cheer, 

Fragrant  with  woodland  feii8ts,is  left  to  breeze 

And  snnshine  and  protecting  walls  of  trees, 

Wliile  the  roused  dwellers  march  with  Cox  the  brave, 

And  Paris,  their  loved  sylvan  soil  to  save 

From  the  invader's  tread  ;  the  fann-house,  too, 

With  broad  piazza,  dormer  windows,  hue 

Of  red,  and  native  poplars  belted  round, 

Wlioso  leaves  in  hot  days  yield  a  cooling  sound. 


A  rOEM. 


■n 


lind 
d, 

d; 


[t 

C8 

ings  seize 
;eni8 ; 

IS, 

>rea(l. 
stand 


3 

i  with  cheer, 
eze 

> 

the  brave, 

too, 
innd, 


With  the  vast  bam  of  stone,  a  fort  at  need  ; 
And  pastures  where  sleek  cattle,  frequei\t  steed 
And  flock  luxuriate,  also  sends  its  throngs 
AVild  to  avenge  the  invaded  region's  wrongs 
And  smite  the  foe  ;  the  hamlet,  likewise,  set 
At  grassy  cross-roads,  where  the  rude  church  met 
The  mder  Inn,  in  whose  broad,  straggling  streets 
Neighbor,  with  news  of  humblest  import,  meets 
With  neighbor,  where  the  learned  surveyor  dwells 
Who  chains  wild  lots,  and  where  the  Justice  spells 
The  law  to  litigants,  the  hunter  claims 
Bounty  for  wolf-scalps,  fighting  fallow-flames 
The  settlers  strive  with  handspike  and  with  axe. 
Seeing  their  buckwheat-plats  and  meadow-stacks 
Melting,  sends  freemen  to  drive  back  the  foe, 
Their  sluggish  bosoms  warmed  to  patriot-glow. 
And  the  lone  dingle,  where  the  shanty's  shape 
Juts  from  the  windfall's  orb—  a  jaw  agape  — 
With  pan  and  kettle  under  the  propped  lid 
Of  the  rough  bob-sled,  where  tlie  spring  is  hid 
By  the  sunk  barrel,  and  on  hemlock-fringe 
The  imnate  sleeps,  but  up  at  dayliglit's  tinge 
For  trap  or  ninway,  lone  the  shanty  sees 
As  the  wild  dweller,  groping  by  blazed  trees. 
Wades  his  dim  way  to  join  the  patriot  band 
Summoned  to  drive  the  foeman  from  the  land. 
Together  blent  at  last,  the  gallant  throng 
Down  the  rough  road,  unmindful,  streams  along; 
A  hollow  lies  in  front ;  the  patriots  reach 
Its  causeway ;  with  a  sudden  burst  and  screech 
Of  rifle  shots  and  warwhoops,  savage  forms 
Rise  from  the  marshy  bordere ;  hissing  storms 
Of  bullets  rain  upon  the  broken  ranks 
That  strive  to  mlly  ;  from  the  deadly  banks 


■ 


32 


BUKGOYNE. 


DlazuB  swift  death  ;  the  painted  warriors  dash 

Wild  in  the  whirling  midst;  knives,  hatchets  flabli 

And  foes  mad  throttle;  Indian,  German,  close 

In  grapple ;  Ranger,  neighbor,  meet  as  foes 

Bosom  to  bosom  ;  as  speeds  fierce  the  fray 

The  Germans  form  in  circles  and  repay 

Carnage  with  carnage ;  Herkimer  has  dropped 

But  still  directs  the  furious  confiict  propped  ' 

Against  a  friendly  stem  ;  a  fiashing  wakes 

Fiercer  and  redder,  a  loud  tumult  breaks 

Grander  and  sterner  than  the  deadly  scene, 

The  battle  of  the  skies  !  its  mightier  mien 

Of  loftier  anger  checks  the  lesser  strife, 

But  as  it  marches  oft,  the  fight  for  life 

Rages  anew  with  fiercer,  wilder  burst, 

For  now  the  Royal  Greens,  friends,  neighbors  erst 

Yea  brothers  of  their  foes,  have  joined  the  fight 

And  Havoc  greets  them  with  renewed  delight. 

Here,  the  clubbed  rifle,  there,  the  thrusting  spear 

And  plunging  knife ;  Cox,  Paris  fall !  career 

The  steeds  of  slaughter  through  that  awful  dell 

Till  baffled,  beaten,  the  cowed  rcdskiiis  swell 

Their  shrill  retreating  cries,  and  quick  the  form 

Of  battle  strides  away,  as  strode  the  storm 

From  the  red  dell ;  down,  quiet  settles  sweet ; 

The  bobolink  gurgles,  and  the  yellow  feet 

Of  the  checked  partridge  print  the  neighboring  scene. 

But  Nature  to  itself  consigns  the  dread  ravine. 

During  tlie  sky's  fierce  onslaught,  at  the  Fort 

A  whirlpool  raged  of  strife  ;  the  sallyport 

Sent  Willctt  forth  to  Johnson's  camp  at  hand, 

And  drove  him  headlong  ;  evening's  air-breaths  fanned 


?t8  fljibh 

!l080 


)ped 

a  ■ 


bors  erst 
}  fight 
light, 
ig  spear 
reer 
il  dell 
veil 
3  form 
n 
weet ; 

!t 

tboring  scene, 
ravine. 

Fort 

>rt 

hand, 

-breaths  fanned 


A  POKM. 

The  e.'.an  Furt  in  its  renewed  repose. 

While  night  closed  sad  on  its  disheartened  foes. 

Down  to  Fort  Edward,  now  Burgoyne  has  passed. 
Want  gnaws  his  forces ;  his  red  allies  fast 
Forsake  his  darkening  path ;  but  full  supplies 
At  Bennington  are  stored,  war's  welcome  prize 
Of  food  and  steeds.     Iloosic's  green  landscapes  sound 
"With  Baum's  api)roach  ;  its  rustic  roads  are  ground 
With  cannon- wheels ;  the  red-coat  grenadier 
And  green  diasseur  trudge  on,  the  promised  cheer 
Brightening  their  brows  ;  but  lion-hearted  Stark 
Stands  with  his  rural  ranks  before  the  mark. 

A  picturesque,  nide  church  its  little  bell 
Tinkles  one  sabbath  morn  ;  wild  hills  np  swell 
About  a  hamlet  with  its  palisade. 
Meadows  of  grass  stretch  out  and  fields  arrayed 
In  ripening  grain  ;  bold  Parson  Allen  nunmts 
The  nistic  pulpit,  and  with  fire  recounts 
How  boastful,  vain  Burgoyne  has  hither  sent 
Baum's  fierce  dragoons  on  schemes  of  plunder  bent 
"Rouse  men  of  Berkshire,  I  will  lead  you  !  i.teet 
"  The  red-coat  foe  !  "  all  spring  upon  their  foet : 
The  hunter  leaves,  within  the  handet-square, 
The  frowning  carcass  of  the  ssible  bear  ; 
The  trapper  slings  his  traps  upon  Lis  back ; 
The  settler  cuts  his  latch-string  ;  to  his  stack 
The  fanner  ropes  his  ox ;  the  sawmill  sings 
No  longer  to  its  dam  ;  the  slider  brings 
No  more  th  j  prone  log  to  the  severing  saw  ; 
The  steed  stamps  idly  the  locked  stable's  straw  ; 
The  miller  brushes  from  his  coat  the  meal, 
And  his  white  rafters  hear  no  more  the  wheel ; 
6 


83 


II 


34 


BURGOYNE. 


All  flock,  with  Parson  Allen  at  their  head, 
Down  the  wild  hills ;  the  heavens  their  torrents  shed, 
But  on  they  stream  to  where  with  his  platoons, 
Stark  waits  the  coming  of  the  Baum  dragoons. 

For  days  along  the  dim  and  rainy  scene 

Had  glimpsed  the  red-coat  host ;  but  now  serene 

Glitters  the  summer  day ;  Walloomsac's  banks 

View  in  their  rude  array  the  patriot  ranks. 

Stark  mounts  the  meadow  fence ;  "  see  men,"  says  he, 

"  The  red  coats  1  ours  by  sundown  they  must  be 

Or  Molly  Stark's  a  widow  !  "  words  that  claim, 

Though  quaint,  the  tongue  of  everliving  Fame. 

The  golden  quiet  of  the  afternoon, 

The  forests  sleeping  and  the  fields  in  tunc, 

Is  broken  by  the  battle ;  twice  the  throat 

Of  War  roars  forth  its  fierce  and  fiendish  note ; 

In  vain  the  Hessian  battery  hurls  its  deatli ! 

Up  climbs  the  foe  albeit  no  blasting  breath 

Of  canon  aids  them  ;  up,  still  up!  they  sweep 

The  Tory  ranks  away  ;  like  panthers  leap 

Over  the  breast  work  ;  vain  the  weighty  sword 

Of  the  chassseur  1  as  sunset's  gold  is  poured 

Along  the  scene  the  Iloosic  woods  ring  out 

Freedom's  great  thunder-voice,  her  grand  victorious  shout. 

On  glide  the  days ;  the  Lion  Banner  droops 
Over  Fort  Edward's  walls.     Burgoyne  still  stoops 
His  eai-  for  Clinton's  hoped  approach  ;  instead 
Oriskany  and  Bennington  with  dread 
Seize  on  his  heart  and  paralyze  his  strength ; 
And  thus  time  drags  along  its  lazy  length, 
The  chasseur  sees  the  leafy  Deadman's  Point 
Drowsing  in  noon's  hot  haze ;  the  dews  annoint 


jftS^J^^^IP-K*-^" 


A  roEM. 


85 


i, 

)rrent8  ehed, 

toons, 
cons. 


r  serene 
banks 

.8. 

len,"  says  he, 
must  be 
claim, 
Fame. 

t 

I  note ; 

th! 

ith 

iweep 

P 
sword 

ired 

out 

id  victorions  shout. 

oops 

still  stoops 

instead 

igth ; 
jth, 
Point 
1  annoint 


The  Balm  of  Gilcad  at  the  water-gate 

That  lately  reared  its  green  and  three-tnmked  state, 

With  honey  dew  for  bees  whoso  murmurings  fill 

Tlie  drummer  boy  with  sleep  ;  on  Jennie's  Hill 

Beside  the  rustic  breastwork  overgrown 

With  brambles  by  rich,  ripening  raspberries  strown, 

The  hunter  pauses  with  his  hound  to  look 

Down  in  the  Fort ;  within  some  shady  nook 

He  sees  the  grenadier  in  coarse,  red  cap 

Playing  with  dice ;  upon  some  grassy  lap 

The  green-garbed  Hessian  mends  his  gpatterdash, 

The  Sergeant  crooks  his  chevron,  and  his  sash 

The  ensign  twines ;  all  speak  of  peaceful  day  ; 

And  as  the  limping  partridge  lures  away 

The  hunter  from  her  brood,  on  Panther  Hill 

He  meets  the  trapper  who,  with  hearty  will 

Says  Schuyler  calls  all  patriots  to  his  side. 

And  toward  Cohoes  both  speed  with  willijig  stride. 

On  Rogers'  Island,  lazy  red-coats  stray 

Among  its  shades  to  pass  the  sununer  day  ; 

Or  seek  the  Griffin  House  where  cattle  browse 

In  stumpy  pastures,  for  a  night's  carouse ; 

Tramp  the  Old  Lumber  Road   where,  on  its  creek 

The  ruined  saw -mill  yields  no  more  its  click  ; 

Where  blackened  shingles  and  prone  logs  8trii)].)ed  nude 

And  broken  stone-boats,  all  arotmd  are  strewed ; 

Or  wander  the  Old  Military  Road, 

Whore  stares  for  hours  the  unmolested  toad  ; 

Wade  through  the  marsh  to  gather  Indian  plumes. 

Or  seek  the  Foot  path  full  of  chccpiered  glooms ; 

Hang  on  the  wreck  of  Bagley's  Bridge  athwart 

Fort  Edward's  creek,  whose  pools  are  the  resent 


36 


iiUlUlOVNE. 


Of  poising  trout ;  or,  Black  Tom  roping  slow, 
Cross  McCrea's  ferry  in  his  rough  batteau. 

Others  along  the  Ritchtield  Plains  wouhl  wend, 

Between  Forts  Anne  and  Edward,  at  the  bend 

Of  Hudson's  hed  where  the  Great  Carrying  Place 

Began,  and  the  batteau  its  poling  pace 

Ceased  for  the  wagon's  jolt  whose  canvas  cave 

Was  piled  with  rubtic  goods  and  blankets  bravo 

For  settler  and  for  savage,  or  jerked  slow 

O'er  stony  roads,  with  swinging  pail  b-^low 

And  trotting  dog,  its  four  great  steeds  with  stalk 

Stately,  and  shrill  bells  jangling  in  their  walk; 

Pausing  at  roofs  where  buyei-s  could  be  found, 

And  stores  with  shelves  of  cloths  and  dangling  round 

With  bacon,  loaves,  whips,  lanterns,  in  dim  nooks 

Hogsheads  and  bai-rels,  and  with  blinking  looks 

Ranges  of  cutlery,  and  bringing  up 

By  night,  at  small,  rough,  wayside  Inns,  to  sup 

And  lodge,  then  on,  repeating  day  hy  lay 

The  life  ;  o'er  these  smooth  Plains  they  oft  would  stray 

Sheeny  with  flowers,  where  roads  all  courses  led, 

Vocal  with  frogs  from  swanips  at  each  side  spread 

Or  rolled  in  dells  and  knolls  of  ^nne-trees  tanned 

With  their  brown  fringe,  and  veined  with  silver  sand; 

Or  in  some  dimpling  dingle  woidd  they  rest 

Playing  at  cards  upon  a  prone  tree's  breast 

Pearled  with  white  lichen,  rough  with  glossy  sinncs 

Crimsoned  with  moss  or  fringed  with  fairy  pines. 

The  8trii>ed  ground  squirrel  cantered  by  their  side 

Brush  lifted  like  a  gun  ;  the  wood  chuck  tried 

To  leave  his  den  but  shrank  back  as  they  looked ; 

And  the  rare  black  foK  from  his  burrow  crooked ; 

The  (luail  gazed  at  them,  and  a  movemei»t  quick 


A  rOEM. 


3T 


ow, 


wend, 
bend 


12  Place 


cave 
bravo 

V 

w 

nth  stalk 
walk ; 
found, 

igling  round 
ini  nooks 
g  looks 

to  sup 

oft  would  stray 
irscs  led, 
side  spread 
IC8  tanned 
ith  silver  sand ; 
rest 
3a8t 

wlossy  spines 
airy  pines. 
,'  their  side 
'k  tried 
ey  looked ; 
V  croolxcd ; 
ent  quick 


Betrayed  the  bell-owl  in  his  covert  thick 
AVakened  from  sleep  ;  the  l)reezes  flitting  brief 
Woidd  plant  white  stars  on  every  wavering  leaf ; 
The  flying  sfpiirrul,  bird  and  brnte  cornbinetl, 
Would  shoot  askance,  until  the  arbors  twined, 
Thickened  in  evening's  shades  of  India  ink 
And  from  the  skies  the  silver  stars  would  wink. 

Tieneath  a  bridge  above  some  shrunken  stream 
Where  bent  the  arch,  or  streached  the  web-like  beam, 
On  the  ridged  earth  they  oft  would  crouch  and  hear 
The  frog's  hoarse  bellow  echoing  on  their  ear 
Like  a  far  gun-roar  ;  cool  the  shadows  lay 
With  here  and  there  the  gold  dart  of  a  ray 
From  chink  and  knot-hole ;  on  the  bits  of  sod 
Stood  spears  of  grass  and  tufts  of  golden  rod ; 
And,  now  and  then,  a  robin  would  look  in 
And  chirp  to  see  the  scarlet  colors  win 
Gleams  from  the  dusk ;  below,  the  waters  dark 
Shone  like  gilt  ebony,  or  shot  a  spark 
Bright  as  a  toad's  eye ;  cool  and  sweetly  damp 
The  sheltered  spot  imtil  they  sought  the  camp. 

Or  in  some  gravel-pit  where  bushes  clung, 

And  merry  music  from  the  insects  rung. 

On  the  warm  gravel  they  their  length  would  lay 

Helmet  cast  down  and  musket  laid  away, 

And  think  how  sweetly  they  could  slumber  here 

With  naught  bxit  crickets  chirping  xo  their  ear 

Instead  of  reveille  and  quick  tattoo 

Or  march  to  time  their  tread,  and  naught  to  view 

But  moonlight  stepping  on  her  tender  feet  . 

Straying  around  as  if  their  eye  to  greet 

Free  from  the  tent's  close  folds;  till  glowing  red 

On  the  pit's  rim  would  tell  that  day  had  fled. 


3S 


BURCiOYNE. 


Or  by  some  half -full  brook  with  pebbly  isles 
And  broken  banks  where  bine  the  aster  smiles, 
And  the  rich  sunflower  lifts  its  golden  star, 
With  here  and  there  mossed  rock  and  sandy  bar 
And  sparkling  water-breaks  like  little  lutes 
That  match  the  bluebird's  and  the  robin's  flutes ; 
They  watch  the  snipe  that  leaves  its  tiny  prir.ts 
On  the  soft  margin,  and  the  velvet  tints 
Of  the  brown  rushes  as  the  heron  gray 
Struts  tall  among  them,  and  the  silver  play 
Of  light  on  the  wet  sands  where  pictures  shine, 
As  in  a  looking-glass,  of  wreathing  \ane 
And  feathery  foliage  fringed  along  the  edge, 
And  bayonet  pointing  reed  and  dirk-like  sedge 
Mingled  with  moosehead  hues,  till,  sunset  gilds 
The  towering  turrets  that  Day,  leaving,  build?, 
And,  the  breeze  clinging,  fluttering,  to  their  ©u-s. 
Upon  their  winding  trail  the  camp  appears. 

Or  by  some  fractured  stnmp  they  oft'  would  pause 
To  mark  the  life  and  tints,  the  clefts  and  flaws 
Of  that  small  world ;  the  moe   shows  golden  blots; 
The  lichen,  scallopped  scales;  in  little  grots, 
Dart  in  and  out  black  beetles ;  busily  knots 
The  spider  his  white  hammock  over  chinka ; 
And  sinking,  falling,  in  quick,  loosening  links 
Twitch  the  gray  gnats;  in  its  cracked  ebony 
The  hollow  where  the  camp-fire  whirl ingly 
Dropped  its  live  embers,  soft  and  cindery 
Shows  its  charred  oi>ening;  there,  the  bumble-bee 
Furls  his  white  nnn-nnirous  mist,  and  finds  his  gold 
Tarnished  with  black ;  thus,  on  the  time  is  rolled 
In  careless  pleasiire,  till  the  loud  tattoo. 
Rattling  among  the  trees,  tells  idling  through. 


iiild  ])ause 
flaws 

den  blots; 
rots, 
lots 
ks; 
;  links 
)ony 

y 

uinhle-bee 
ids  his  goM 
3  is  rolkul 


A  POEM. 

Changing  the  scene,  Burgoyne  his  camp  would  trace 

Round  the  Red  House  at  the  Great  Currying  Place ; 

There  when  the  sun  is  bright,  the  sentry  sees 

Madame  Riedesel  dining  under  trees. 

As  the  chasseur  beholds  her  gliding  round 

Off  flies  his  bear-skin  helmet,  to  the  ground. 

His  carbine  slides  ;  the  bron/e-browed  grenadier 

Lifts  his  red  cap  and  smiles  with  honest  cheer, 

For  the  glad  vintage  of  the  father  land 

Lives  in  her  presence ;  through  its  mountains  great 

Winds  the  loved  Rhine ;  the  forests  melt  away, 

Cot,  wife  and  children  smile ;  all  shines  one  happy  day. 

Now  like  a  sim  blot  in  the  circling  camp 
Her  sandled  specks  the  hmibering  yager's  stamp ; 
In  the  rain-rumbling  barn,  now,  round  rough  boards 
Sitting,  with  spades  by  plumes  and  scythes  by  swords ; 
Under  the  loft  stuffed  full  of  fragrant  hay 
Where  the  mustachioed  weasel  prowls  for  prey ; 
Where  pronged  the  pitchfork,  the  strawcutter  showered 
Its  glittering  dots,  and  the  wheelbarrow  cowered 
With  the  grey  grindstone,  and  the  resting  plow 
By  the  tall  ladder  leading  to  the  mow 
Rustling  with  insects  like  a  triclding  brook ; 
And  the  ash-barrel  rounded  from  the  nook. 

Burgoyne  too,  often,  brings  his  epaulets 
In  the  dusk  bam  when  rain  the  landscape  wets ; 
His  scarlet  coat  \ipon  the  straw  would  gleam  ; 
His  snowy  plumes  beneath  the  raftere  stream  ; 
And  when  he  left  it  seemed  as  if  the  place 
Relapsing  dim  had  lost  a  gliding  gracq. 

Still  restless,  he  Fort  Miller's  walls  would  seek 
Where  at  the  spreading  ford,  the  rapids  wreak 


39 


iO 


BUKGOYNE. 


Their  foam  on  sloping  rocks ;  their  ceaseless  tongue 

Soothed  his  vexed  ear,  and  when  rich  Him  was  iixmg 

By  the  soft  south  wind  upon  the  mellow  air, 

His  glittering  greenduke  hait  would  dimple  where 

The  whirling  pebble-stones  of  Bloody  Kun 

Had  scooped  deep  pools;  his  fowling  piece  would  stun 

Some  cedar  cavern  where  the  quail  had  sought 

Refuge  ;  or  he  would  rouse  his  tuneful  thought 

To  poesy  amid  the  glorious  scenes 

Of  forcDt  gorges,  dingles  and  ravines  ; 

Or,  with  pleased  smile  would  watch  the  timid  doe 

Hiding  her  fawn  too  young  to  flee,  as  slow 

Ho  trod  some  grassy  aisle ;  or  as  his  hoimd 

Treed  the  scared  partridge,  echo  woidd  reboxmd 

To  his  loud  shout,  while  the  poor  brindled  thing 

Too  faint  with  fright  to  spread  delivering  wing 

Would  cower  among  the  leaves ;  and  thus  the  hours 

On  led  his  steps  through  mingled  thorns  and  flowei-s. 

As  Bimset  glows,  up  Horican's  pure  tides, 
A  battery-corps  of  Phillips  slowly  glides 
In  large  batteaux  ;  as  ripple  their  fronts  along, 
The  boatmen  wake  the  echoes  with  the  song 
Of  their  wild,  frontier  life;  the  mounted  brass 
In  the  low  light  gleams  golden  ;  black  the  mass 
Of  shade  from  point  and  curve  of  bank ;  ^he  lake 
Eeflects  the  scarlet  coats ;  the  pennons  shake 
In  the  light  puffs  of  air;  they  pass  Bui-nt  Camp 
As  the  first  breeze  of  sunset  winnows  damp ; 
Then  Bosom  Bay  allures  their  wandering  eyes 
In  the  rich  coloring  of  the  western  skies; 
Sabbath  Day  Point  in  streaks  of  brilliance  glows 
And  its  black  picture  paints  the  Lake's  repose; 
By  the  bold  grandeur  of  famed  Rogers'  Slide 


A  POEM. 


41 


s  tongue 
was  tiling 


i  where 

would  stun 
ight 
lUght 

nid  doc 

I 

bound 
I  tiling 
wing 

I  the  hours 
md  flowei-8. 


along, 
ong 
I  brass 
le  mass 
,  bhe  lake 
lake 
t  Camp 
mp; 
reyes 

ice  glows 
repose ; 
Slide 


Shining  in  varied  tinge,  they  sluggish  glide ; 

Past  rrisoner  8  Island  rich  in  sunset-stains ; 

Juniper  Island  now  their  pathway  gains  ; 

Past  green  Slim  Point ;  BlufE  Point  is  now  before ; 

Buck  Mountain  rears  its  crest  along  the  shore ; 

Sugar  Loaf  Mountain  glows  in  tender  red  ; 

On  Battery  Island,  softest  tints  are  spread ; 

Over  the  water  breathes  the  birch's  scent 

The  mint's  and  pine's  in  balmiest  fragrance  blent ; 

The  golden  beauty  of  the  evening  lies 

Round  like  a  blessing ;  the  flotillla  plies 

Up  past  Tongue  Mountain  where  the  wood-duck  oare 

Her  flight  of  ten-or,  and  her  ducklings  shores ; 

The  heavy  battery-wheels,  stout  traces,  chains, 

Thick  massive  collars,  tough  but  pliant  reins. 

Large  saddles  studded  with  big  nails  of  brass, 

And  stalwart,  stamping  steeds,  all  upward  pass. 

Balls  are  coned  round  ;  great  powder-bags  and  swabs 

I^an  in  the  nooks  of  trunnions  and  of  knobs, 

With  rammers ;  men  stand,  sit,  at  full  length  lie ; 

They  shout  and  whistle,  gaze  on  earth  and  sky. 

Wrestle  in  sport  and  fisticuff  in  joke. 

Their  limbs  they  dangle,  and  their  pipes  they  smoke, 

Eehearse  old  war-scenes,  fondly  hope  for  new, 

Discuss  commanders,  pass  in  swift  review 

The  late  events,  and  laugh  derisively 

At  such  rude  rustics  fancying  to  be  free. 

Darker  and  darker  grow  the  spreading  shades. 

Till  twilight's  glamor  the  wide  scene  pei-vades. 

Tlie  sparkling  isles  all  round  th^m  looked  confused, 

And  the  whole  scene  in  lonely  silence  mused. 

Heaves  Shelving  Eock  in  front ;  they  pass  it  now 

The  jeweled  Dipper  beaming  on  its  brow. 

They  mark  the  lovely  tints  of  evening  play 


ill 


42 


BUiiaOVNE. 


On  the  calm  surface  of  Ganouskie  Bay ; 

And  now  Dome  Island  in  mid  sight  appears, 

And  toward  it  each  bateau,  loud  rippling,  steers 

Here  lies  the  goal  until  the  morning  sheen 

And  soon  the  camp-iires  glitter  on  the  scene. 

Large  as  a  cannon-wheel,  the  rosy  moon 

Eises ;  the  Lake  begins  its  nightly  croon, 

Ripple  on  bank,  rustle  of  circling  leaves. 

All  the  soft  sounds  that  summer  silence  weaves. 

Some  wakeful  bird's  note,  the  loon's  startling  whoop, 

The  myriad,  differing  cadence  in  one  group 

Filliiig  the  ear.    Morn  dawns  in  gorgeous  tints ; 

The  flashing  deep  the  rude  flotilla  prints ; 

Soon  Diamond  Island's  glossy  shade  is  spread 

Upon  tiiC  water's  gemmy  gold  and  red ; 

Next,  close  adjoining,  sits  Long  Island  green 

With  leafy  beauty,  rich  in  dewy  sheen ; 

On  the  batteaux  ;  Phelp's  Bay,  upon  the  east, 

Yields  to  their  gazing  sight  a  dazzling  feast ; 

Along  the  west,  they  pass  the  Rattlesnake 

Lifting  its  crest  above  the  gUttering  Lake, 

Wliere  the  glad  lustre  twines  its  golden  wreath 

Upon  the  trees  in  the  ravine  beneath ; 

Artillery  Cove,  with  its  one  cedar  isle. 

Sends  o'er  the  sparkling  flood,  its  sylvan  smile ; 

And  now  the  ramparts  of  a  ruined  Fort 

Rise  on  the  shore,  and  there,  they  all  resort. 

They  haul  their  cannon  and  they  hoist  their  stores  ; 

They  scale  cracked  walls  and  traverse  broken  floors. 

Planting  their  loads  ;  Fort  George,  that  late  was  mute 

In  forest  silence,  save  the  wavelet's  flute. 

The  bobolink's  bugle,  robin's  flageolet, 

And  frog's  bassoon,  now  buzzed  with  rush  and  fret 

Of  busy  life ;  and  there,  for  many  days 


'  n-;ijt»j}4'.*?'"y^^*^^"g;Mj 


A  POEM. 


48 


lers 


voa, 

5  whoop, 

nts; 

id 


st. 


eath 


nile ; 


ir  stores ; 
en  floors, 
Xe  was  mute 


.  and  fret 


Jlorican  viewed  the  scarlet  banner  blaze  ; 
Till  the  rough  road  that  linked  Fort  Edward,  saw 
Thither  the  train  its  jolting  progress  draw. 
Alonir  the  base  of  wild  French  Mountain,  slow 
They  plunge  and  crunch  ;  its  sununit  shines  aglow 
With  sheen,  but  shaded  winds  the  road  ;  beyond 
They  cross  the  stream  of  neighboring  Long  Pond ; 
Still  on  they  jolt ;  they  pass  the  old  stockade 
Of  the  French  War;  at  night  their  bivouac  made 
Witliin  Foi-t  Amherst,  at  the  Half-Way  Brook. 
And  when  morn  glowed,  again  their  pathway  took 
Along  the  forests  chirping  either  side. 
Until  they  hailed  the  Fort  at  eventide. 

Meanwhile,  the  tidings  of  Oriskany 

And  Bennington  careered  ;  and  glad  and  free 

Hope  spread  white  pinions  ;  throngs  to  Schuyler  pour 

Swelling  his  ranks,  all  abject  terror  o'er. 

Poor  Jennie's  mournful  doom  had  roused  an  ire 

Wrapping  the  region  with  consuming  fire. 

The  boy  strode  downward  in  his  rustic  sleeves, 

His  coarse  frock  fragrant  with  the  wheaten  sheaves ; 

The  brassy  buttoned,  blue,  artillery  coat 

Trod  by  the  hunting-shirt  from  wilds  remote  ; 

The  scythe,  sword-handled,  met  the  king's  arm  red 

In  rust ;  the  plumed  cap  touched  the  shaggy  head  ; 

Hid  away  handets,  far  away  farms  sent  out 

Their  patriot  throngs;  the  hunter's  startling  shout 

No  longer  checked  the  flying  deer ;  at  dusk 

The  fireflies  saw  the  trap  whose  snaring  musk 

Allured  the  mink,  snap  on  its  gasping  prey 

With  no  rough  hand  to  bear  the  fur  away ; 

Unseen  by  prying  eyes  the  otter  slid 

Down  the  smooth  bank  and  in  the  streamlet  hid ; 


Ai; 


i-'i 


i^B 


44 


BURGOYNE. 

From  grassy  hamlets  ami  from  fort-Hts  wide. 

From  lakes  Uke  oceans,  and  ti-om  river-tide, 

From  streaks  of  fresh-blazed  trees  where  sable-lines 

Ran  leagues,  from  watery  dungeon-nooks  where  shines 

The  Indian  Plume's  rich  torch ;  where  slender  reeds 

Point  by  the  cabin,  bright  in  pickerel-weeds. 

From  the  green  cross  road  soft  with  school-house  hum, 

From  tumbliKJg  milldams,  and  from  dingles  dumb 

Save  to  the  whistUng  bird ;  from  all  points,  came 

High  patriot  hearts,  shrines  bright  in  freedom's  flame, 

Crowding  the  camp  where  Schuyler,  lingering,  lay, 

His  strength  increasing  each  succeeding  day. 

As  when  the  spring  tide  brings  the  roaring  rains 

And  the  swollen  Mohawk  from  its  wintc:-  chains 

Dashes  in  fury  down  the  broad  Cohoes 

And  wakes  the  forests  from  their  calm  repose, 

So  came  the  living  torrents  to  the  scene 

^Vhere  Freedom's  banner  shone  in  beckoning  sheen. 

Back  to  Fort  Stanwix.     As  Time  onward  stepped, 

Closer  St.  Leger's  threatening  parallels  crept. 

In  the  near  meadow  at  the  Scalping  Tree, 

The  patriot  saw  the  red-skin  in  his  glee 
Wield  the  keen  knife  in  token  of  the  hour 
When  his  hot  head  would  feel  its  horrid  power. 
Oft  did  he  see  too  in  the  evening  glow 
St.  Leger's  swarthy  face  and  huge  chapeau 
By  the  wild,  painted  Brant,  or  Johnson  bluff, 
As  he  surveyed  the  Fort  that  in  its  rough 
Half  finished  form  still  showed  defiant  teeth 
At  the  thronged  foe  its  sylvan  walls  beneath. 

At  last  a  night  of  scowling  tempest  saw 
Willett  and  Stockwell  from  the  fortess  draw 


A  POEM. 


45 


B-lines 
ere  si  lines 
)r  reeda 

oiise  Imm, 
lumb 

ii's  flame, 
iigr  lay? 

■ains 
lains 

se, 

ig  sheen. 

itepped, 

•t. 


)wer. 


iiff, 


th 
th. 


w 


Their  snaky  lengths  throngh  slumbering  foes ;  they  grope 

Through  the  black  wilds  until  their  blinding  scope 

Is  kindled  by  the  sini ;  then  on  they  steer, 

The  brook  and  blackberry  their  only  cheer, 

Till  down  the  valley  on  their  flying  steeds 

They  Schuyler  seek  ;  their  summons  warm  he  heeds  ; 

Ard  Arnold  tracks  Fort  Dayton's  valley-trail 

And  sends  on  Hon  Yost  with  Ids  cunning  tale. 

Along  the  Fort's  rough  road  that  led  to  where 

Fort  Stanwix  stood,  a  man  with  slouching  air 

And  wandering  glance  moved  swift  on  ponderous  feet ; 

The  noontide  sunbeams  in  his  pathway  beat 

A  tlxread-like  trail  that  throngh  the  forest  wound 

And  scarce  mid  thickets  faint  existence  found. 

Now  the  trail  vanished  in  some  windfall  vast ; 

And  now  he  vaidted  o'er  the  pine  tree  cast 

By  the  tornado,  rearing  frequent  bulk ; 

Now  waded  some  slow  stream  with  snaky  skulk 

Oozing  through  rotten  mould  till  one  loose  bog 

Wallowed  about ;  his  large  splay  foot  wovdd  clog, 

And  stumble  o'er  the  blind  and  sketchy  trail 

Touching  along  ;  'twas  Hon  Yost  with  his  tale 

Apt  to  his  tongue  to  tell  the  savage  foe 

Of  Arnold  striking  his  o'erwhelming  blow. 

About  the  Scalping  Tree,  the  red  skins  form 

In  solemn  council ;  the  debate  is  warm  — 

After  wise  Hah-wen-ne-yo's  aid  was  sought  — 

^VTiether  to  leave  at  once  the  war-path  fraught 

With  such  dire  evil  as  Oriskany, 

Or  follow  still  the  King,  their  Father  ;  free 

Flows  their  fierce,  guttural  talk ;  their  minds  in  doubt 

Waver  ;  a  figure  at  a  warning  shout 

Bursts  on  their  rows  ;  'tis  Hon  Yost !  "  red  men  fly  ! 


46 


BURGOYNE. 


Tho  white  mau  eomea  to  slay  !  liis  hosts  arc  nigh 
Thick  as  the  leaves  1 "  he  shouts  ;  they  start,  recoil ; 
The  Council  breaks  ;  they  flee  in  wild  turmoil ; 
In  vain  St.  Leger  hurls  his  wrath,  and  stonns 
The  furious  Johnson  ;  fiuick  retreating  forms 
Fill  all  the  portage  toward  Wood  Creek  ;  and  soon 
The  golden  quiet  of  the  afternoon 
Steeps  the  wide  landscape  ;  field  and  stream  and  tree 
Eestored  once  more  to  soft  trancpiillity. 

All  round  the  sylvan  Fort  as  sunset  shone 

Settled  the  forest  stillness,  and  alone, 

Instead  of  wild,  tierce  prowling  forms,  it  sees 

The  steadfast  columns  of  the  peaceful  trees : 

Instead  of  flitting  red-coats  gleaming  rich 

In  the  gold  rays  from  battery,  wall  and  niche 

Of  breastwork,  it  beholds  the  sweep  of  leaves 

Gorgeous  in  all  the  pomp  that  sun-down  weaves. 

Left  even  the  bombardier  in  slumber  cast. 

And  the  hung  kettles  for  the  ^ve's  repast. 

The  low  light  bathes  the  empty  meadows  spread 

Along  tho  Mohawk,  trampled  with  the  tread 

So  late  of  foes ;  as  silver  twilight  falls, 

And  umber  thicken-  on  the  forest  walls 

The  landscape  hears,  instead  of  sounds  that  fright, 

The  murmured  nmsic  of  the  quiet  night. 

As  here  scenes  change,  in  Schuyler's  island-camp 

At  the  famed  Sprouts,  Night  hangs  her  diamond  lamp, 

Day  his  nectarean  dome ;  it  sees  the  fall 

Of  dark  Cohoes ;  Avatches  the  drowsy  crawl 

Of  the  batteau  up  Moliawk's  branching  blue, 

The  noseless  periagua,  tlie  canoe 

With  paddle-foot,  for  De-o-wain-sta's  belt 


J 


A  PUEM. 


47 


nigli 
recoil ; 

n, 


d  Huun 


and  tree 


le 
aves. 


)read 
d 


fright, 


-camp 
imond  lamp, 

1 
le, 


Where  the  sweet  valley-river's  sources  melt 
III  spongy  inosBes  and  i.i  !)ubbly  ooze, 
Until  all  trace  the  lurking  trickles  lose. 

Upon  the  rocky  isb,  like  wintry  drifts 
Tents  ridge  the  scene;  a  zigzag  breastwork  lifts 
Now,  the  flat  shore ;  a  loop-holed  curtain,  now. 
Joins  bastions ;  a  bomb-battery  rears  its  brow 
Betwixt  low  rocks  ;  embrasures  skirt  the  scene  ; 
War  darkening  frowns*  in  nature's  smiling  green. 
Here  Gates,  the  reins  of  battle's  crouching  steeds 
Seizing  from  Schuyler's  guiding  grasp,  succeeds 
To  that  wise  hero's  post  within  the  car 
Whose  wheels  still  wait  on  fortune's  tickle  star. 

Fronting,  in  whirling,  flashing,  plunging  shocks, 
Cohoes  comes  dashing  down  its  bridling  rocks  ;— 
Comes  like  a  warrior  whooping  on  his  path. 
His  hatehet  glitterinu;  in  his  tameless  wrath. 
Thence  the  broad  Muliawk,  dark  in  eddying  flow, 
Steals  to  the  Ili'dson's  broader  wave  below. 
ii    the  calm,  A-'rinkling  flood,  the  pal  lot-camp 
Stands  on  its  island,  one  of  four  that  cramp 
The  waters  to  the  Sprouts  that,  smiling,  bring 
Their  cryst;  '  jewels  to  the  Ei\  er-King. 

Now  their  adieu,  the  days  of  Summer  bid. 
And  cool  Septemb.  r  brtngs  her  catydid. 
Gates,  roused  to  action,  takes  his  upward  way 
To  meet  Burgoyne  Avi.  -.  waked  from  his  delay, 
Is  marching  down%rard,  with  his  earthward  ear 
Keen  sharpened.  Clinton's  hoped-for  tread  to  hear. 
The  forests  glint  with  patriot  steel ;  the  air 
Echoes  and  glitters  with  the  stamp  and  glare 


+« 


liUUCiOVNE. 


Of  foot  and  weapon  ;  dead  leaves  turn  to  miro 
At  trampling  feet ;  the  air,  one  sounding  lyre 
Of  life  and  drum ;  the  old  oak's  leafy  speech 
Says  "  on  "  not  "  back ; "  the  compass  of  the  beech 
By  its  moes-hands  pomts  north;  the  hemlock  thinned 
With  austral  blasts  says  "up;"  the  maple  skinned 
By  the  lodged  fir,  creaks  "come;"  and  glad  the  ranks 
Obedient  track  the  Hudson's  upward  banks. 

His  fife  within  his  hand,  the  fifer-lad 
Tramped  on  ;  the  baggage-driver  whirled  his  gad ; 
The  caunonier,  beside  his  gleaming  gun. 
His  crunching,  pounding,  phmging  pathway  won ; 
Vaulting  the  prostrate  log,  the  snare-loosed  drum 
Jarred  by  the  bound,  gave  out  a  sullen  hum ; 
The  king's  arm  clanked  upon  the  buckle  ;  rang 
The  sword  against  the  rock ;  with  bell-like  clang 
The  brass-plate  of  some  plumed  cap  struck  a  branch 
Drooped  low ;  the  steel-tipped  flagstaff,  flashing  launch- 
Made  to  the  arch  the  weeping  elm  o'crhung. 
While  in  some  gust  the  dangling  bugle  sung. 
The  rifleman's  red  hunting-slnrt  yields  fringe 
To  the  thorn's  clutch  ;  the  mould's  black,  smirchiugs  tinge 
Laced  leggings  ;  farm-boys  iii  their  butternut, 
Find  how  the  sedges  like  keen  knives  can  cut ; 
And  soaked  boots  rumble  as  they  toiling  tread 
The  deep  morass  with  yielding  mosses  spread. 
They  trace  the  deer-path  round  the  swamp  and  seize 
The  meaning  of  the  blaze-hacks  on  the  trees 
Traced  by  the  trapper  for  his  figure-four. 
Or  dead-fall  with  its  death-pole  slanting  o'er 
Couched  in  the  bush;  even  guided  by  the  scent 
Of  the  pierced  bait  for  its  furred  prey,  they  went. 
But  fronting  heights  now  meet  the  wandering  eye 


^ffa*m^i-^v^ammj'f^^'-h 


A  POEM. 


49 


re 

B 
1 

}  beech 
)ck  thimied 
skinned 
lad  the  ranks 


lis  gad ; 

f  won ; 
drum 

i; 

rang 

ke  clang 

?k  a  branch 

lashing  launch 

lung, 

sung. 

nge 

smirchiugs  tinge 

nut, 

cut; 

read 

ead. 

)  and  seize 

ees 


o'er 


;he  scent 
they  went, 
idering  eye 


Whore  river  flats  in  meadowy  smoothness  lie 
In  crescent  green  ;  tlie  army  halts,  and  day 
By  day,  the  spot  assutnes  war's  stern  array. 
Breastworks  crown  knolls ;  and  point  the  bristling  spears 
Of  sharp  abatis ;  now,  a  wall  careers 
Over  some  marsh ;  and  an  embrasure,  now. 
Runs  through  a  panther-lair;  the  hillock's  brow 
Bears  the  strong  battery ;  while  in  ranks  of  snow 
The  tents  their  itiany  lanes  and  alleys  show. 

Thy  skill,  oh !  noble  Kosciusko !  wakes 

These  warlike-looks!  thy  peerless  genius  breaks 

Over  tills  scene  in  wily  webs  that  sent 

Freedom's  brave  sons  to  strife ;  so  subtly  blent, 

So  closely  hidden,  with  such  caution  traced 

That  the  toe  knew  not  where  they  lurked,  till  placed 

In  conti-act  by  surrender,  and  thus  made 

To  fight  but  with  an  enemy  arrayed 

In  battle-order  ;  gladly  History  keeps 

Enshrined  thy  name,  while  proud  her  bosom  leaps 

O'er  thy  bright  fate,  to  fall  in  conflict  grand 

Oh!  hero,  patriot,  for  thy  fatherland. 

Flashes  of  steel  and  frequent  spots  of  red 
Through  the  dense  foliage  o'er  the  landscape  spread 
Tell  of  the  Foe;  His  downward  step  is  stayed. 
And  hero  at  last  He  draws  his  battle-blade. 

Upon  thy  heights,  oh !  Bemis !  let  us  stand 
And  view  the  landscape  beantiful  and  grand. 
Northwest,  in  hue  that  robes  the  heather-bell, 
The  velvet  tops  of  Horican  upswoU. 
Downy  in  distance,  sheeny  in  the  sun, 
East,  domed  in  blue,  the  height  ot  Bennington, 
7 


■affiBBs"'' 


50 


BURGOYNE. 

Where  likewise  tliose  grand  peaks,  in  glimmerings  blent, 
Show  the  Green  Mountains,  Freedom's  battlement. 
That  rounded  summit,  too,  in  purple  drest 
Proclaims  where  WiUard's  Mountain  rears  its  crest. 
South,  the  soft  range  that  gray  the  horizon  breaks 
Tells  where  its  way  the  Hudson  Valley  takes; 
While  west,  the  hills  of  Saratoga  belt 
The  raptured  eyesight,  and  in  azure  melt. 

Oh!  War,  thou  frightfid  fiend,  from  thy  red  deep 
Why  dost  thou  spring,  dread  carnival  to  keep  ! 
Hast  thou  not  spoiled  this  earth  enough,  that  thou 
Must  stUl  unveU  the  terrors  of  thy  brow? 
Wreathed  roses  scent  the  summer  air  to-day, 
To  morrow  stoops  the  raven  to  his  prey  ; 
At  mom,  the  sun  on  life  sheds  gladdening  boon, 

At  night,  looks  down  on  death,  the  sorrowing  moop. 

Nature  abhors  thee ;  on  the  battle-field 

She  hastes  her  healing,  eager  aid  to  yield. 

On  bony  fragments  twines  the  peaceful  flower ; 

O'er  sword  and  musket  bends  the  grassy  bower ; 

Where  wheeled  platoons  and  deadly  volleys  rolle<l, 

The  kinebell  chimes,  the  plowshare  curb  the  mould  ; 

In  the  burst  bomb-shell  rounds  the  robin's  nest ; 

Where  bullets  struck,  the  fern  waves  feathery  crest ; 

But  still  red  Battle  wields  his  scorpion  scourge 

And  then-  fierce,  maddened  flight  his  fearful  coursers  urge. 

And  yet,  thy  presence  casts  one  smiling  ray 
When  Patriot  Valor  piles  thy  slaughtering  way. 
In  fire  divine,  thy  altar  stands  arrayed 
When  fatherland  calls  man  to  draw  his  blade. 
Fragrant  breatlies  War's  fierce  gory  blossoms  then  ; 
A  sacred  light  bathes  mountain,  field  and  glen  ; 


A  POEM. 


61 


icrings  blciit, 
ement. 

ts  crest. 

breaks 

3a; 


d  deep 
ep ! 
at  thou 

boon, 
ing  mooiji. 


wer; 
3wer; 
8  rolled, 
he  mould  ; 
nest ; 

lery  crest ; 
(urge 
^il  coureers  urge. 

ay 


?way. 


ade. 

oms  then  ; 
glen; 


And  memory  bends  a  mourner  o'er  tlie  grave 
Where  man  has  died  his  native  soil  to  save. 

And  thus,  oh  Berais,  on  thy  leafy  heights 
Did  Freedom  strive  to  guard  her  heavenly  rights ! 
Her  voice  the  torrent  and  her  arm  the  pine 
Dashing  and  swinging  and  man's  heart  her  shrine. 

And  so  on  that  September  morn,  the  hosts 

Met  in  fierce  grapple ;  Poesy  that  boasts 

Celestial  birth !  not  thine  the  laurel  torn 

From  hideous  Battle,  but  the  bay  leaf  born 

From  lovely  Peace  1  thy  song  is  not  the  clank 

Sounding,  rebounding  from  the  serried  rank  ; 

Thy  glance  resides  not  in  the  cannon's  flash ; 

Thou  shudderest  at  the  conflict's  thunderous  crash  ; 

Haste  to  thy  sylvan  haunt,  to  thy  green  liomc ! 

Let  not  thy  fairy,  flowery  sandal  roam 

To  scenes  of  war !  there,  shines  heaven's  delicate  blue  ; 

The  robin's  wr  dJ-j  ^-eets  the  sunset  dew  ; 

The  stream's  soi..  silver  glides  in  sunny  dells ; 

Thy  soul-bright  eye  on  naught  but  beauty  dwells; 

Yet,  though  thou  shrinkest,  patriot  voices  call ; 

The  trumpet's  clangors  must  not  all  appal ! 

Loved  country  beckons  thee  thy  haunt  to  leave 

For  scenes  that  tire  the  spirit  while  they  grieve. 

Come  then  on  tiptoe,  glowing  yet  aghast. 

Thy  wild  locks  streaming  on  the  battle-blast, 

Thy  form  recoiling  even  while  pressing  on, 

Thy  soft  eye  glittering  though  thy  cheek  bo  wan  ; 

Strip  the  gold  strings  of  music  from  thy  lyre, 

And  g'  reak  its  graceful  frame  with  iron  wire 

Flinging  fierce  flashes  like  the  musket's  own  ; 

Ringing  stern  crashes  like  the  cannon's  tone ; 


62 


BURC40YNE. 


Sing  how  brave  Arnold  dared  death's  fiercest  frown, 

And  Morgan's  rifle  won  a  new  renown ; 

How  Poor  and  Scammel  dipped  their  swords  in  red  ; 

Cilley  and  Learned  marked  their  path  with  dread ; 

How  PhilUps  thundered,  Ackland  faced  the  foe ; 

Riedesel  salUed,  Fraser  showered  his  blow , 

Ranks  withered,  sunk  platoons ;  on  Havoc  ploughed  ; 

Live  streaks  of  fire  shot  arrowy  through  the  cloud  ; 

The  bayonet  glittered,  gleamed  the  frecpient  sword  ; 

The  musket  rattled  and  the  camion  i-oared ; 

The  Heights  like  Sinai  spoke  with  glare  and  peal, 

Battle  the  Moses  and  the  tablets  steel ; 

And  long  as  fame  her  pen  of  power  shall  hold. 

Thy  earth,  oh  Bemis!  shall  be  changed  to  gold! 

Piled  to  a  pyramid,  Time's  sunset  beam. 

In  living  lustre,  there,  shall  lingering  stream ; 

Thy  name  be  sculptured  in  eternal  rock 

And  told  among  the  beats  of  Time's  unceasing  clock. 

The  night  sinks  down,  but  sparkles  red  betray 

Where  tireless  arms  still  carry  on  the  fray. 

Cap-plate  and  match-box  in  the  battle-flame 

The  foes  respective,  breast  to  breast,  proclaim, 

Till  Carnage  ceases  from  his  crimson  tread, 

And  the  drear  scene  but  holds  the  dying  and  the  dead. 

The  Patriot  Chieftain,  wakeful,  dreads  the  light, 
Lest  the  fierce  Lion  should  renew  the  fight. 
Tiie  sable  grains  where  lurk  death's  lightnings,  nauglit ; 
Ah  1  with  what  danger  Freedom's  life  is  fraught  I 

Burgoyne  too,  wakeful,  stoops  once  more  his  ear ; 
Ah !  loitering  Howe  !  thy  succor !  is  it  near ! 
On  torturing  waves  his  struggling  heart  is  tost ; 
A  conflict  like  the  last,  and  all  is  lost. 


st  frown, 

Is  in  red  ; 
dread ; 
e  foe; 

ploughed ; 
le  cloud ; 
it  sword ; 

id  peal, 

hold, 
gold ! 


A  J'OEM. 

The  morning  dawns ;  the  Lion  from  the  scene 

Hath  sought  his  lair  within  the  walled  ravine 

And  height  embattled  ;  sylvan  Freeman's  Farm  — 

That  lato  resounded  with  wild  war's  alarm  ; 

Where  dashed  the  battle  in  its  swinging  flow, 

Like  grappling  billows  rolling  to  and  fro ; 

Or  a  majestic  pendulum  is  urged ; 

Where  the  red  ranks  and  where  the  patriot  surged ; 

Where  gallant  Jones,  his  scarlet  coat  aglow 

With  redder  hues,  hurled  thunders  on  the  foe, 

And  died  at  last  beside  his  cannon  hot 

With  their  live  lightnings  ;  —  ah  that  sylvan  spot 

How  dire  the  scenes  it  knew  —  shines  fresh  and  bright, 

With  Naturo  smiling  in  the  morn's  delight. 

Unscared,  the  meadow-lark  soars  warbling  up 

As  the  dew  domes  the  aster's  staiTy  cup  ; 

The  robin  pipes  his  clarionet  and  blinks 

At  the  round  button  like  an  eye  that  winks 

On  the  prone  red  coat ;  while  the  squirrel  eyes 

The  prostrate  garb  of  home-spun,  its  dull  dyea 

Like  the  brown  store  he  gathered  for  his  cave  ; 

From  his  leaf-hamtnock  with  his  sable  glai\  e 

To  pierce  the  flower,  the  bee  dronoa  on  his  way 

His  silver  bag-pipe  misty  with  its  play  ; 

All  speak  of  peace,  the  living  and  the  dead  ; 

And  thus  the  houi-s  speed  on  with  golden  tread. 

Days  roll  along  ;  the  patriot  picket  sees 

The  red  platoons  rich  glimpsing  through  the  trees. 

The  grenadier  surveys  the  rustic  foe 

Pitching  the  quoit,  or  drilling  to  and  fro 

The  new  recnxits ;  the  nightly  watch-tires  glance 

Upon  the  Indian's  circling,  stamping  dunce 

To  the  bowl-drum's  dull  beat ;  tlio  hut  of  boughs 


58 


IT" 


54 


BURGOYNE. 


I 


Wreathed  by  the  patriot  farm-boy  from  where  browse 

The  cattle  in  the  barn-yard,  views  him  fit 

The  handle  of  the  hoe  within  a  bit 

Of  sharpened  steel,  and  lo!  a  spear  to  pierce 

The  cannouie'  when  up  he  gallops  fierce 

To  hurl  his  bolts ;  the  drummer-boy  that  wore 

His  drum  until  its  skin  the  bullet  tore 

Turns  it  into  a  cage  to  prison  there 

The  captured  squirrel ;  near,  with  patient  care 

Some  rustic  makes  the  scythe  into  a  sword, 

Perchance  to  strike,  when  battle's  toiTents  poured, 

The  grand  Burgoyne  himself,  as  hand  to  hand 

Sickle  to  bayonet,  pitchfork  wai-ding  brand. 

Whirls  the  blind  chaos ;  arms  that  wield  the  flail. 

Heap  up  the  cider-press  and  build  the  rail 

Strike  deep ;  and  thus  September  goes,  her  breath 

Dimming  the  greenery,  like  day's  twilight  de.th 

Fihning  tlie  landscape,  and  October  comes. 

The  pine  sighs  Smnmer's  dirge ;  the  hemlock  hums 

Its  winter  prophecy ;  Burgoyne  perceives 

The  hectic  crimson  on  the  maple  leaves 

And  thinks  how  like  his  hopes  their  greeJi  was  sign 

And  now  when  evil  fortune  makes  decline 

The  red  announces  doom ;  then  how  the  blue 

Unchanging  cedar  wore  the  fadeless  hue 

Of  smiling  Freedom's  hopes ;  the  birch's  gold 

His  vanishing  glory  as  a  warrior  told  ; 

The  oak's  rich  purple,  of  the  gore  that  stained 

His  path,  and,  oh  despair !  what,  what  remained  1 

At  length  he  reared  once  more  his  wavering  front 
To  blindly  dare  the  battle's  fickle  brunts 
Again  he  dashes  from  his  camp  as  breaks 
A  long  «tayed  cataract ;  Slaughter  fiercely  shakes 


A  POEM. 


66 


;re  browse 


ore 


;are 


poured, 
and 


le 


flail. 


breath 
de-th 

»ck  hums 


was  sign 

lue 

;old 

ined 
aained  1 

ig  front 
shakes 


Anew  his  pinions.    Poesy  upsprings 

From  the  green  dingle  where  the  sunshine  flings 

A  gold  black  chequer,  and  in  quiet  she 

Couched  in  the  blossom  swung  within  the  tree 

With  bee  and  bird  songs  in  her  shell-like  ears 

Building  her  fairy  thoughts ;  and,  shuddering,  hears 

Again  the  shout  of  battle ;  slow  her  tread 

Toward  the  fierce  scene  where  Carnage  reigns  in  dread 

From  where  the  dew  conden;    1  its  sparkling  swell 

In  silver  cupolas  along  the  dell. 

Her  soft  eyes  start,  her  golden  hair  again 

Streams  like  a  sunlit  torrent ;  jars  the  strain 

Her  pearly  lyre;  black  scowls  the  sulphury  cloud 

Red  with  the  streaks  of  death ;  War  shouts  aloud 

In  fiendish  glee;  foes  grapple;  ranks  melt;  earth 

Shakes  with  the  cannon-thunder;  this  thy  mirth, 

Accureed  Demon !  oh  ye  beauteous  trees, 

That  i-ang  so  sweetly  to  the  minstrel  breeze ! 

Ilow  your  soft  bark  —  the  tricksy  beetle's  home 

And  all  tlie  murmurous  wings  whose  twilight  roam 

Tunis  air  to  music  —  by  fierce,  cruel  balls 

Is  tortured!  as  they  strike,  whai  glittering  falls 

Of  tiny  shai>e3!  what  showers  of  rainbow  leaves ! 

But  vain  the  sorrow !  Battle,  ceaseless,  weaves 

His  awful  web;  "on  patriots!  charge  once  more!  " 

"  Back,  rebels! "  reeks  with  red  the  forest  floor ! 

Five  times  a  British  gun  is  won  and  lost 

By  Britain  and  by  Freedom,  and  is  tost 

By  the  wai-'s  wave  to  Freedom's  hand  at  length ;  — 

Bold  Cilley  mounts  and  dedicates  its  strength 

To  Freedom's  cause,  and  huris  its  thunders  loud 

With  red-coat  charges  on  the  red-coat  crowd. 

Oh  gorgeous  Banner,  rent  but  waving  still  1 
Oh  Flag  of  ages  1  with  what  warrior  will 


56 


BURGOYNE. 


Tlij  folds  have  shadoweci  realms !  no  craven  arm 

Ilath  ever  borne  thee!  fortune's  smiling  charm 

Hath  made  thee  briglit !  ah,  Lion  Flag  what  now 

Darkens  thy  radiance  !  Freedom's  glorious  brow 

Blasts  tiiee  with  splendor  born  of  lightning  spray 

Flashed  by  wild  torrents,  born  of  tameless  blasts 

Whirling  round  chainless  crags,  of  boundless  skies        . 

Of  endless  woods,  where  freest  mountains  rise ; 

Oh  trophied  Banner,  doth  thy  Lion  droop 

Yea  shiver  and  shrink,  yea,  shiver  and  shrink  and  stoop 

Down  toward  the  dust !  on  Flag  1  one  struggle  more  ! 

Think  of  thy  glories  !  let  the  blood  outpour  ! 

Strike,  warriore  strike  !  ah.  Flag  of  high  emprise ! 

Bold  Ackland  falls  !  low  noble  Fraser  lies ! 

In  vain,  alas  in  vain,  thy  sons  brave  death ! 

Faint  is  the  strength  and  wailing  is  the  breath 

Around  thee  now  !  but,  facing  still  the  foe. 

Thy  tread  is  faltering,  waxing  weak  thy  blow  ! 

Facing  the  foe,  not  onwai-d  points  thy  track ! 

Facing  the  foe,  but  reeling,  reeling  back  ! 

The  Flag  of  Freedom  follows !  bright,  with  sun, 

Borne  by  TenBroeck,  Poor,  Glover,  Livingston  ; 

Borne  by  brave  Nixon,  Learned,  scorning  dread  ; 

Fierce  Arnold  leading,  Morgan  in  his  tread ; 

III  vain,  Burgoyne  plants  firin  his  step  to  stay, 

Ragged  with  balls!  in  vain,  in  vain,  away. 

The  chief  is  swept,  whose  watch- word  was  the  boast 

"  Britons  retreat  not,"  swept  now  by  the  host 

He  scorned  ;  our  Banner,  brightening  as  it  goes. 

Careers  o'er  piles  of  dead,  o'er  struggling  foes ; 

Shout !  Freedom  shout !  hurrah !  on,  on  its  path  I 

On  over  breastwork,  sharp  abatis !  wrath 

Glares  from  the  Lion's  eye !  shout,  Freedom,  shout ! 

On,  Banner,  on !  the  Lion  turns  in  rout, 


A  POEM. 


67 


craven  arm 

ng  charm 

g  what  now 

rious  brow 

itning  spray 

eless  blasts 

iindless  skies 

ains  rise ; 

■cop 

1  shrink  and  stoop 

!  struggle  more ! 

itpour ! 

gh  emprise ! 

'  lies ! 

eath ! 

e  breath 

e  foe, 

\y  blow ! 

track ! 
ck! 

,  with  sun, 
iivingston  ; 
ling  dread  ; 

tread ; 

to  stay, 
way. 

I  was  the  boast 
ho  host 

as  it  goes, 

ing  foes ; 

on  its  path ! 

ath 

•ecdom,  shout ! 

It, 


The  boasting  Lion!  shout!  hurrah!  he  flees! 

Brave  Breyman  dies!  triumphant  Freedom  sees 

The  Lion  flying  from  the  field  !  hurrah ! 

No  grander  sight,  grand  Freedom  ever  saw ! 

Waving  her  flag,  she  plants  it  on  its  throne. 

Shout!  rend  the  skies  !  hurrah  !  shout !  victory  is  her  own  ! 

Again  the  morning,  but  no  Lion's  glare 

Keddens  the  field ;  in  sullen,  dark  despair 

He  crouches  in  his  den  upon  the  height ; 

While  Freedom  spends  the  day  in  songful,  wild  delight. 

The  wrathful  sunset  lights  a  sorrowing  scene 
In  wliich  a  warrior  train  with  mournful  mien 
Consigns  the  gallant  Fraser  to  his  rest 
Within  the  "  Great  Redoubt,"  upon  the  crest 
Of  tliat  mailed  hill  where  stands  Burgoyne  to  pay 
Friendship's  last  tribute  to  the  much-loved  clay. 
Hiss  the  fierce,  patriot  cannon-balls  around 
The  grieving  group,  as  rise  in  sacred  sound 
The  funeral  words ;  but  changed  at  length  to  tolls 
Of  minute-guns  whose  solemn  homage  rolls 
Over  the  twilight  landscape  darkening  grave 
In  reverence,  likewise,  for  the  noble  brave. 

As  the  rain  blinds  the  night,  on  Hudson's  flow 
A  boat  is  tossing  ;  valiant  in  her  woe, 
The  tender  Ackland  seeks  her  wounded  lord 
Within  the  patriot-camp ;  the  wild  bhist  roared 
O'er  the  black  waves  ;  though  bitter  i-ain-Hheets  chilled. 
Feelings  of  heaven  that  throbbing  bosom  filled. 
And  soon  her  husband's  suflering  couch  she  gained, 
Whose  pangs  she  soothed  and  languor  she  sustained. 
8 


58 


BUUCiOYNE. 


As  the  rain  streams,  Burgoyne  his  snllon  tread 

Turns  to  the  North  ;  no  hope  remains ;  his  head 

Bows  low !  and  yet— if  Ilorican's  free  wave 

Receives  his  conquered  host,  retreat  might  save 

Surrender  — on!  the  Night  weeps  bitter  tears, 

But  on  !  this  one  sole  hope,  though  glimmering,  cheers 

His  fainting  spirit !  on !  the  Lion  stoops 

In  the  black  air,  but  on!  i  i  straggling  groups 

His  tired  and  hungry  rani  a  grope  slow  along ; 

( >h !  how  unlike  the  gay  and  gladdening  song 

Of  their  advance !  "  Britons  retreat  not ! "  now 

Sliame  rloga  the  step,  dejection  loads  the  brow  ; 

But  on!  the  morning  dawns!  still  on!  the  height 

Of  Saratoga  hails  the  pallid  light 

Of  closing  eve,  and  here,  at  last,  the  weighed 

And  weary  step  of  poor  Burgoyne  is  stayed. 

Gates  follows  after ;  from  the  jeweled  isles 

Of  Horican  ;  the  stately  rocky  piles 

Of  blue  Luzerne,  where  the  majestic  crags 

Of  Potash  Kettle  change  the  clouds  to  flags ; 

Where  the  Green  Mountain  blasts  to  thunders  call 

In  stately  challenge ;  foams  the  waterfall 

Of  the  Great  Spirit ;  whei-e  expands  the  plain 

Of  the  rich  «  Hc.iling  Waters ! "  where  in  vain 

Centuries  gnaw  the  buckler  on  the  breast 

Of  Wallface,  and  Tahawus  scowls  with  crest 

Of  scorn  upon  his  vassal  peaks  ;  in  throngs 

The  patriots  sally,  fiery  with  their  wrongs 

And  hopeful  of  their  rights,  to  Freedom's  side 

Now  marching  forward  with  victorious  stride. 

Shrinking  from  ceaseless  showers  of  i)i»triot    »all8, 
Madame  Riedesel,  in  those  cellar  walls 


A  POEM. 


59 


Mid 
licad 

ave 

,r8, 

iring,  cheers 


ps 

iig: 

>ng 

HOW 

row ; 
height 


led 

a. 


ders  call 

(lain 
1  vain 


■est 


9  side 
ride. 

iot    lalls, 


Hallowed  by  her  grand  heart,  makes  bright  the  gloom 

With  fond  devotion;  at  lier  touch,  the  bhjoin 

Of  roses  glows  from  ashes  ;  suffering's  Led 

Hears  the  sweet  music  of  her  gentle  tread  ; 

She  cools  hot  fever's  brow,  and  with  her  smiles 

The  weary  hours  of  tossing  pain  beguiles. 

Thy  horrors.  War,  are  tinged  with  transient  glow 

By  souls  like  her's,  one  joy  to  myriad  wou  ! 

Within  a  ball-swept  tent,  Burgoyne  sits  now 
In  counsel  with  despair  upon  his  brow. 
Curtains  of  8(;owling  blackness  fold  him  round  ; 
Closed  is  the  net,  and  he  is  firmly  bound. 
Turns  he  toward  Horican  'i  the  foe  is  there ! 
East,  Fellows'  cannon-hghtnings  scorch  the  air ; 
"West,  the  live  forest  but  his  coming  waits ; 
And  in  his  rear  the  frowning  front  of  Gates. 

At  last  wakes  dallying  Howe,  and  Hudson  reels 

Under  the  upward  rush  of  British  keels. 

Manv  a  brown  hamlet  on  the  river  shore 

At  British  broadsides,  finds  its  quiet  o'er ; 

And  many  a  stately  manor  house  withdrawn 

In  its  old  groves,  upon  its  shrubbery  lawn, 

Feels  the  hot  cannon-ball ;  —  where  roll  the  heights 

Of  the  wild  Highlands,  and  in  stately  sights 

Nature  rejoices,  curving,  now  tlie  Stream 

To  seeming  lakes,  then  narrowing  till  its  gleam 

Is  lost  in  blackness  from  the  swelling  breasts, 

At  either  hand,  of  the  encroaching  crests,  — 

Standing  like  islands  in  an  emerald  sea, 

Frown  stern,  Forts  Clinton  and  Montgomery. 

In  vain  they  hurled  their  thunders,  still  in  vain 

Reliance  placed  they  on  the  massive  chain 


60 


BUKGOYNE. 


Linking  tho  shores;  the  struggling  Forts  were  swept, 

The  chain  was  snapped,  and  up  the  vessels  kej)t 

Their  devastating  way  ;  —  still  on,  still  on  ! 

Their  broadsides  roaring  while  their  torches  shone, 

Round  many  a  dwelling  slumbering  in  its  trees, 

Wakening  to  fires  wild  streaming  on  the  breeze 

At  midnight's  helpless  hour;  at  length  in  flames 

Grassy  Esopus  sees  its  rustic  frames , 

But  northern  tidings  tell  that  hope  is  vnin, 

And  Vaughan  and  Wallace  seek  Manhattan's  spires  again 

On  Saratoga's  height,  Song's  weary  wing 
Now  folds  a  space,  her  glances  round  to  fling. 
From  "Gravel  Hill     gleams  down  upon  lier  view 
Hudson's  bright  flood  ;  that  fragment  of  soft  blue 
Tells  the  Green  Mountains,  and  it  smiles  upon 
The  scene  of  glad  and  glorious  Bennington 
Upon  the  river  bank  rise  dome-like  hills  ; 
Downward  a  rich  and  varying  landscape  fills 
Tlie  gladdened  eye ;  where  sunset  fires  the  skies, 
The  dreamy  peaks  of  Saratoga  rise. 
Ilorican's  mountains,  like  the  purple  down 
Of  the  ripe  plum,  the  North  horizon  crown  ; 
Up,  Battenkill  yields  Hudson's  ]>reast  her  ehanns 
Clasping  a  fairy  daughter  in  her  arms 
South,  the  sweet  Fish  Kill  links,  too,  like  a  bride 
Her  sparkling  beauty  with  his  lordly  tide ; 
Outspreads  the  space  of  erst  Fort  Hardy,  nigh; 
Aud  here  Song  fastens  her  exultant  eye. 


A  pearly,  creamy  Indian  summer  day  ! 
Glorious  the  scenes  October's  tints  display. 
Golden  the  birch,  in  red  the  maple  glows, 


ere  swept, 

ki'|)t 

i  shone, 
rees, 
•eeze 
laniea 


[18  spires  again. 


er  view 
uft  blue 
apoii 
1 


lis 

:  skies. 


ehamis 
I  bride 
nigh; 


A  POEM.  61 

Orange  the  beech,  the  oak  its  pur|)le  shows, 
While  bits  of  rainbow,  every  jewel's  hue 
Blossom  and  birl,  and  rhell,  seciu  draining  through 
Upon  the  woodland  mould,  so  rich  and  bright 
Thicket  and  herbage  flash  upon  the  siglit. 

On  the  Fort  TIardy  Green,  this  dainty  day, 

The  conquered  hosts  of  England  march,  to  lay 

Their  weapons  down  ;  the  hour  has  struck,  and  now 

With  heavy  footsteep  and  with  sullen  brow, 

They  come,  but  with  no  patriot  eye  to  see, 

y^r  nobly.  Gates  in  generous  b\  mpathy 

lla«  Vanished  all  within  their  tents  ;  they  come. 

Yet  vvi'Jt  no  banner  spread,  no  beating  drum. 

Tmmr*  tramp,  they  come  !  tramp,  tramping,  rank  on  rank, 

Vramp,  tramp,  they  come!  tramp,  tramping  ;  hark,  that  cliijk, 

Those  piling  arms  !  clank,  clank  !  that  tolling  knell 

To  bowed  Burgoyne !  what  bitter,  bitter  swell 

Of  his  proud  heart !  ah,  sad  Burgoyne  !  what  death 

To  thy  high  hopes,  all  vanished  like  a  breath  ; 

The  second  scene !  stretched  down  the  rustic  road 
On  two  long  patriot  lines  the*  sunlight  glowed. 
Each  nuisket  shouldered,  every  flag  unwreathed. 
Each  cannon  pointed,  every  swoixl  unsheathed, 
A  picture  grand  of  flags  and  swords  aiid  guns. 
There  stand  the  States  in  persons  of  their  sons. 
Virginia's  Moi-gan  proudly  there  ;  erect 
^Tew  York's  brave  Livingston  ;  in  gladness  decked. 
Learned  of  Massachusetts  ;  Valiant  Po^r 
Of  grand  New  Hampshire;  oh,  ye  brave!  secure 
In  this  your  triumph  !  well  might  ye  rejoice  ! 
Do  ye  not  hear  within  your  hearts  the  voice 
The  trumpet  voice  of  Freedom?  hail  all  hail, 


62 


BURGOYNE. 


Yo  heroes  !  for  your  courage  did  not  fail 
In  trial !  but  ye  nobly  strove  and  now 
The  star  of  victory  beams  on  every  brow. 

They  come,  the  conquered  hosts !  the  grenadier, 

Whose  veteran  heart  has  never  known  a  fear ; 

Blue  his  laced  shoulder,  bare  of  musket,  worn 

To  polish  with  its  weight ;  the  Hessian,  torn 

From  his  loved  hamlet  by  the  Rhine,  to  light 

Uncaring  in  another's  cause  whose  right 

He  knew  not ;  mingling  in  his  train,  the  bear 

The  graceful  deer,  the  furred  raccoon,  his  care 

Has  tamed  ;  and  cowering  in  the  midst,  oh  sight 

Of  woe,  ah  saddening  sight,  that  Flag  of  might 

That  Lion  Banner  winch  had,  conquering,  climbed 

Abraham's  proud  Heights  !  and  with  its  folds  sublimed 

By  Wolf's  grand  death,  had  felt  the  dying  sighs 

C*  brave  Montcalm  —  whil6  streaming  in  the  skies 

Blazoned  in  triumphs,  bright  in  victory's  burst 

The  Stai-e  and  Stripes,  unfurled  now  for  the  first— 

(  Ah,  glorious  ilag  the  symbol  of  the  Free 

What  iieart  so  cold  that  does  not  warm  to  thee  ! 

Bom  in  the  throes  of  War,  on  land  and  sea 

What  heart  so  high  that  does  not  bend  to  thee  ! 

Crimson  with  patriot  blood,  what  caitiff  knee 

In  Freedom's  realm  that  does  not  sink  to  thee !  ) 

Waved,  proudly,  grandly,  gloriously,  waved 

Above  the  Lion,  deeply  now  engraved 

By  its  first  victory,  with  all  hearts  all  round 

Thrilled  in  the  blithe  and  rapid-tripping  sound 

Of  our  loved  air  whose  measure  to  our  tongue 

Will  cling  while  think  the  old  and  act  the  young. 

As  passed  the  conquered  troops,  from  out  the  tent 
Of  Gates  whose  hospitable  folds  had  bent 


J 


A  rOEM. 


63 


O'er  the  two  chiefs  at  meat,  Bnrgoyne,  in  piido 
Of  gold  and  scarlet,  plumage  streainitig  wide, 
And  Gates,  in  plain,  blue  garb,  appeared,  surve} xd 
The  moving  scene ;  the  first  then  bared  his  blade 
And,  bowing,  gave  it  to  the  other's  hand 
Who  swift  returned  it  with  a  gesture  bland. 

Off  march  the  conquered  hosts  ;  the  distant  hills 
Hide  them  ;  again  tbo  wide  encampment  fills 
With  patriot  troops;  sweet  quiet  reigns  once  more; 
And  Saratoga's  last,  grand,  glorious  scene  is  o'er. 

Up  rose  our  sun  irom  this  great  battle's  height ; 
Swift  flew  the  clouds  and  all  the  sky  was  bright. 
Up  soared  our  Eagle,  onward  she  careered ; 
Her  wing  cast  radiance  and  her  presence  cheered. 
Wide  flew  our  Eagle ;  France  unsheathed  her  sword 
And  sought  our  side  ;  and  Spain  and  Holland  poured 
Their  smiles  upon  us ;  wide  our  Eagle  flew ! 
Cowpens,  Kings  Mountain,  saw  glad  Victory  strew 
Her  flowers  beneath  their  tread  ;  till  Yorktown  wreathed 
Our  land  with  laurel ;  War  his  falchion  sheathed  ; 
And  Glory  smiling  on  her  Washington 
Led  FREEDOM  to  her  Throne ;  oub  HERrrAOB  was  won. 

Hail,  noblest  Washington  !  thy  soul  sublime 
Towers  with  the  loftiest  from  the  earliest  time 
Great  Alexander  trampled  on  a  world. 
Yet  to  the  cup,  inglorious  banner  furled  ; 
Majestic  Csesar  with  the  earth  beneath 
Sought  btit  to  hide  his  baldness  with  his  wreath  ; 
Bacon,  whose  thoughts  were  stars,  his  mind  a  sky, 
His  rich,  bright  ermine  stained  with  venal  dye ; 


Pfil*»fi'ViK»7rt*WMW''™!«>-.« 


f  ^-'-«4?''.'?rK;'ija9S!KWW 


64 


bukgoy:ne. 


Marlborongh,  grand  Acliilles  of  the  bword  1 

Lived  the  mean  slave  to  gold  that  lie  adored ; 

Napoleon,  pulse  of  prostrate  Europe's  heart, 

Shook  with  weak  tear  at  Fortune's  threatening  dart ; 

Alone,  blent  Wabhinoton  all  hues  to  white 

Ilarnioaious  radiance  of  transparent  light ; 

Stem,  and  yet  meek,  no  change  of  fate  disturbed ; 

His  a  swift  courage  by  slow  caution  curbed  ; 

In  danger  calm,  ambitious  but  in  good  ; 

In  trial  strong,  temptations  all  withstood  ; 

In  darkness,  breaking  out  a  cheering  sun ; 

No  trouble  bowed  him  and  no  pleasure  won ; 

Fixed  in  resolve,  yet  bending  patient  ear ; 

In  action  prompt,  in  deep  disdain  of  fear ; 

He  drew  his  sword  when  country  asked  his  aid. 

And  when  need  passed,  serene  returned  the  l)lade 

Hiding  the  wreaths  the  grateful  nation  twined 

Where  green  Mount  Vernon  all  his  joys  enshrined. 

A  rocky  column  he,  shaft,  brow  and  base. 

Of  flowery  sculpture,  and  Corinthian  grace ; 

A  stalwart  oak,  with  smiling  tendrils  wreathed ; 

A  pointed  spear,  in  loving  roses  sheathed ; 

A  mountain,  towering  in  its  state  aloft, 

Builded  of  granite,  but  with  verdure  soft ; 

Holding  alike  the  blossom  and  the  pine. 

The  storm  cloud's  shadow  and  the  noontide's  shine ; 

Now,  the  bird  warbling  in  the  dell,  and  now, 

The  eagle  pealing  from  tlio  craggy  brow  ; 

Hail,  patriot  Chief,  all  hail !  Historic  Fame 

In  purest  gold,  hath  traced  thy  glorious  name  1 

Earth  has  Niagara,  the  sky  its  sun. 

And  proud  mankind  its  only  Washington. 


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A  POEM. 


tf5 


dl 

•ed; 

art, 

;ening  dart ; 

ite 

t; 

isturbed ; 
ed; 


Hail,  Saratoga,  hail !  the  whole  broad  land 

Sliould  peal  thy  triumph  in  one  paean  grand. 

Nature  yields  homage ;  each  recurring  year 

Honoring  thy  mighty  deeds  which  rendereu  (^ear 

The  truth  our  nation  should  at  last  be  free, 

October  shows  its  leafy  blazonry. 

For  in  our  clime  alone  those  gorgeous  dyes 

Vie  with  the  splendor  of  its  sunset  skies. 

All  hail  I  may  thy  proud  glories  heavenward  burn 

Till  to  a  cinder  Time  the  sun  shall  turn. 


iron; 


lis  aid, 
;he  blade 
wined 
enshrined. 

.ce; 
eathed ; 

d; 

t; 

ide's  shine ; 
now, 

une 
name ! 

ON. 


And  now  our  Banner !  oft  its  hues  it  changed  ; 

Through  many  varying  shapes  its  aspect  ranged  ; 

The  elm  of  Massachusetts  and  the  oak 

Of  Carolina  into  being  woke 

The  Tree  of  Liberty ;  (how  strangely  shows 

This  patriot  union  of  such  after  foes ! ) 

Till  a  now  Constallatli  rred  its  blue ; 

And  red  and  white  theii  deep,  striped  colors  drew ; 

Blue,  red  and  white,  like  tints  that  quiver  and  reel 

Over  the  velvet  rich  of  red  hot  steel. 

Wide  streamed  that  Banner  !  as  its  folds  flashed  free 

Auroral  splendors  flashed  in  sympathy ; 

Until  the  patriot  saw  the  earthborn  dyes 

Reflected  in  the  Standard  of  the  Skies. 

Oh,  while  tliose  splendoi-s  beam  upon  the  sight, 

May  that  broad  Banner  glow  in  living  light ! 

Oh,  may  its  trophies  wave  in  pomp  sublune 

Till  melts  the  midnight  of  departing  Time. 

Loudly  may  laurelled  Saratoga  claim 

A  granite  tribute  to  her  splendid  fame  ! 

In  the  grand  chariot  which  her  warsteeds  drew 

She  first  placed  Freedom,  pointing  to  her  view 


66 


BURGOYNE. 

The  glorious  goal.    Shall  pagan  Egypt  bid 

The  heavens  bo  cloven  with  her  pyramid  i 

Shall  Greece  shrine  Phidias  in  her  Parthenon 

To  live  till  fades  the  stars  and  dies  the  snn  J 

Rome  with  her  mighty  Coliseum  whelm 

The  earth  with  awe,  a  peerless  wondrous  realm  ( 

And  our  free  nation  meanly  shrink  t.i  write 

With  lasting  linger  in  the  whole  world's  sight 

Grand  Saratoga's  glory  ?  sound  aloud, 

Song  thy  wide  trumpet  1  let  the  heavens  be  bowed 

With  Love  of  Country's  wrathful  thundei-s,  till 

A  reverent  people,  with  united  will 

Shall  bid  the  Monument  in  sculptured  art 

Rise,  Freedom's  visible  foi-m,  o\u-  Land's  embodied  heart. 


LtMp'20 


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be  bowed 
si-8,  till 


embodied  heart 


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